Returning to the Amex Stadium for the first time in nearly a month, Brighton were glad to be back on home turf, especially after losing just once in their last 11 league games there.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have struggled on their travels, though they came close to taking the lead inside six minutes when Bruno Guimarães’ shot from inside the area went just wide of the post.

Brighton gradually asserted themselves in the first half, with Georginio Rutter forcing a save from Nick Pope on a curling effort from the edge of the area. Their persistence paid off four minutes before halftime, when Rutter’s through ball found Danny Welbeck, who delicately dinked the ball over Pope from inside the box to give the Seagulls the lead.

Despite Brighton’s strong performance, they were mindful of their defensive record, having kept only one clean sheet in their last 19 home Premier League games. Newcastle offered little threat, and Brighton nearly doubled their advantage shortly after the break when Yankuba Minteh set up Yasin Ayari, but the Swede’s effort went narrowly wide.

Newcastle did find a moment of joy late on, as Nick Woltemade’s stylish finish leveled the score inside the final 15 minutes. With momentum seemingly shifting, the Magpies might have sensed a chance to snatch a win, but it was Brighton who ultimately claimed the victory.

Six minutes from time, Welbeck collected a loose ball on the edge of the area and swept it into the bottom-left corner, securing a 2-1 win. The result lifts Brighton three places to ninth, while Newcastle slip to 12th, continuing their stuttering start to the season.