Brighton 1-1 Newcastle: Pascal Gross rescues vital point to boost Seagulls’ survival bid

Brighton 1-1 Newcastle: Pascal Gross rescues vital point to boost Seagulls’ survival bid
Brighton took a step towards Premier League safety after Pascal Gross rescued a point against Newcastle at the Amex.The German netted the Seagulls’ first league goal in more than 12 hours to move the club four points clear of Cardiff with two games to play.2

Gross nets the equaliser

Cardiff’s survival hopes were dealt a humongous blow with a 1-0 defeat at Fulham earlier in the day, but Chris Hughton’s men did not look like capitalising after a hopeless first-half.Ayoze Perez gave Newcastle the lead with a thunderous volley as the hosts saw just 38% of the ball in the opening 45 minutes.However, Brighton were reinvigorated after the break, thanks largely to the introduction of Solly March. And a prolonged spell was rewarded when Gross latched onto Glenn Murray’s header to nod past Martin Dubravka in the 75th minute.The Seagulls then pushed for a winner which would’ve all-but relegated Cardiff – and Murray should’ve found it when he headed over from a yard out late on.Nonetheless, one more win will be enough to secure Brighton’s top-flight status, and Cardiff need to win their final two games to have any chance.Newcastle – without ill captain Jamaal Lascelles and injured record signing Miguel Almiron – were in no mood to roll over and dampened the optimism with 18 minutes played.Paul Dummett’s deep cross from the left was superbly chested down by Salomon Rondon for Perez to expertly smash his fifth goal in three games into the top right corner from close to the penalty spot.2

Perez put Newcastle ahead

Venezuela international Rondon was then denied a penalty by referee Mike Dean after his heels appeared to be clipped by Brighton captain Bruno.Spanish forward Perez, whose goal was the only effort on target at either end in the opening 45 minutes, had earlier taken an inadvertent whack from Seagulls defender Shane Duffy and reluctantly had to be replaced by Kenedy 12 minutes before the break.The Magpies had another spot-kick claim turned down early in the second half when Dale Stephens handled Isaac Hayden’s goal-bound effort from a Matt Ritchie corner.Albion continued to offer little in attack, although centre-back Duffy rippled the side-netting from a Gross corner.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• Norwich vs Blackburn (Saturday, 7:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Leeds United vs Aston Villa (Sunday, 12pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Coventry vs Shrewsbury (Sunday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2

The hosts then claimed for a penalty six minutes later when Glenn Murray received a nudge from Ritchie following Bernardo’s cross.Time appeared to be ticking away from Brighton before a leveller duly arrived with 75 minutes on the clock.Bruno’s hopeful cross from the right was headed on by veteran striker Murray, allowing the onrushing Gross to beat Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to the ball and nod home.Murray had a golden chance to grab a dramatic winner and virtually ensure survival but he headed over from Knockaert’s cross in the final minute, leaving Hughton’s men to wait a little longer to secure their Premier League status.

---

Palace legend names the 'obvious' transfer move for Wilfried Zaha amid Arsenal & Spurs interest. The future of Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha is once again the subject of speculation this summer, with Arsenal and Tottenham interested
Tottenham to open new stadium with EPL game v Crystal Palace

---

SOUTH COAST CLASH Bournemouth vs Liverpool: Match preview and confirmed team news as James Milner makes 500th Premier League appearance
Liverpool team news: James Milner starts at right-back and

---

Home Sports Kick-off time, TV channel and details, live stream, talkSPORT coverage and more
Newport vs Tranmere: Kick-off time, TV details, live stream

---

Alex McLeish is set to learn his fate on Thursday as Scottish Football Association chiefs meet to decide whether to stick with the Scotland boss, Press Association Sport understands. The manager's
Alex McLeish sacked RECAP: Scotland begin hunt for new boss

---

Jonathan Walters: Burnley and Republic of Ireland forward

---

Everton star Idrissa Gueye determined to secure £25m PSG transfer this summer Senegal star refuses to give up on dream move and declares he is 'ready to go to the final level to join a top
Everton's Idrissa Gueye Hints at Future PSG Transfer After

---

Manchester United manager Solskjaer will be pleased with Juan Mata's latest comments. Juan Mata was discussing Man Utd's 1999 reunion match, and his sentiments will have impressed Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer inquest: Woodward hauls Manchester United boss in

---

Europa League final: Arsenal 'bitterly disappointed' at UEFA's ticket allocation as club work with Foreign Office after fans are denied visas Arsenal are working with the Foreign Office after season-ticket holders with dual British and Armenian citizenship were denied visas to travel to Baku for the talkSPORT 2 days ago: Liverpool
Arsenal furious at Europa League final in Baku: 'It is

---

Dani Alves becomes the most successful player in football history with 42nd trophy Paris Saint-Germain swept aside AS Monaco 3-1 on Sunday to thereby making Alves the most decorated
Is PSG's Dani Alves the most decorated footballer in the

---

paper talk Transfer news and gossip: Manchester United's January budget, extraordinary Liverpool 'invincibles' claim, Chelsea target 'not for sale'
Transfer news and gossip: Manchester United's January budget

---

Vincent Kompany: Five player-managers who prove Manchester City captain has a very difficult task ahead Vincent Kompany has announced he will leave Manchester City to become a player-manager at his former club Anderlecht. The City skipper has been an incredible talkSPORT 1 week ago Also reported by •Independent •BBC Sport •Leicester
Vincent Kompany Names His Greatest Manchester City XI

---