Brighton secured their Premier League status for another season after an uneventful goalless draw against Newcastle at the Amex Stadium.
The Seagulls needed one point to guarantee their survival and they were rarely threatened by the Magpies in both sides’ penultimate game of the season.
Chances at either end came at a premium but Graham Potter’s hosts were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty in the first half.
Neal Maupay appeared to be brought down by Matt Ritchie but the Frenchman opted to get back to his feet and play on, without appealing for a spot-kick.
In a game that felt more like a pre-season friendly, the visitors’ best chance fell to substitute Andy Carroll, who was unable to guide Jonjo Shelvey’s late corner on target.
Brighton move into 15th place in the table, seven points from the relegation zone, while Newcastle remain 13th.
Mission complete for Seagulls
Premier League survival was always going to be the main objective for Potter when he accepted the Brighton job at the end of last season, and with one game to go, the former Swansea boss has delivered another year in the top flight.
With goal difference in their favour, Brighton’s safety looked all but certain before kick-off despite a tough run of three consecutive home defeats – with only two heavy defeats coupled with two large wins for Aston Villa still threatening Albion’s status.
But the Seagulls’ home form will be a cause of concern for Potter and his staff as they prepare for a short turnaround before the 2020-21 season gets under way.
Only Southampton (18) and relegated Norwich (19) have scored fewer home goals than Brighton (20) this season, and they were limited to just three shots on target against the Magpies.
Maupay is the club’s top goalscorer this term and when Ritchie hesitated in possession inside the Newcastle box, the Frenchman reacted quickly to seize on the loose ball before appearing to be brought down by the defender.
Ritchie lost his footing as he tried to scramble back into position, but no one in blue and white stripes appealed for referee Simon Hooper to point to the spot.
Centre-back Adam Webster also forced Martin Dubravka into an acrobatic save after the break, as he was gifted too much space by the backpedalling Newcastle defence, but Brighton will simply have to score more goals next season if they are to confirm their safety before their final two matches.
Magpies at ease in Sussex sunshine
Newcastle have not won in their last five league games but the Magpies have not been threatened by the relegation trapdoor since beating Sheffield United on their return to action last month.
And with very little riding on their cross-country trip for an outing in the Sussex sunshine, the visitors produced a lacklustre performance.
Bruce, whose side only recorded one shot on target, pointed to his team’s relentless run of matches in recent weeks – and with 10 games in 35 days, he could have a point.
The Magpies could have taken all three points in the final five minutes, but Carroll was unable to end his run of 32 Premier League games without a goal as he nodded wide after meeting Shelvey’s corner at the back post.
Uncertainty looms over Newcastle, with speculation still surrounding a potential takeover, but Bruce will be keen for clarity as he tries to build a team capable of bringing European football back to St James’ Park.
Man of the match – Federico Fernandez (Newcastle)
‘It wasn’t a classic by any stretch’ – what they said
Brighton manager Graham Potter on Sky Sports: “I think the point is the most important thing. At this stage of the season we can talk about performances but it’s about getting the points you need.
“It wasn’t a classic by any stretch. I’m so proud of how the players have responded to the lockdown period and how we’ve approached these games. Job done. I’m very proud to be in the Premier League next season.
“We’ve learned a lot. It’s been a unique season in what we’ve had to deal with. It’s been a challenge, we’ve come through and we can start planning for next season. It’s always tricky, the transition from one manager to another.
“We need time to settle down and analyse what we’ve done. Post-lockdown we haven’t played as well but we’ve got the points we needed.”
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce on Sky Sports: “That’s our 10th game in 35 days. We have got a lot of tired bodies. We can’t rotate like some others can. Andy Carroll is beating himself up, he knows he should have scored the winner.
“I let other people reflect on that [how the season has gone]. It’s been difficult for everyone concerned, and we’ve done OK. I would have taken 44 points. I think we were safe when we beat Southampton in March.
“In every interview for 15 weeks I’ve been asked the same thing [about the takeover delay]. We need a bit of clarity. Until then I’ll go to work and see the CEO and plan for the summer. That’s all we can do. It’s frustrating.”
A fixture for the purists – the stats
- Brighton are unbeaten in all six of their Premier League meetings with Newcastle (W2 D4) – against no other side have they played more games without losing (West Ham also six).
- Brighton v Newcastle is the only Premier League fixture to be played more than five times with fewer than one goal per game on average (0.7).
- Newcastle have had one or fewer shots on target in seven Premier League games this season – their most in a top-flight season since 2006-07 (8).
- This was Brighton’s 11th goalless draw in the Premier League; no other side has had more since they were promoted to the division in 2017.
- Newcastle kept a clean sheet for the first time since June; they had shipped 10 goals in their previous three Premier League matches.
- Newcastle’s Allan Saint-Maximin has completed 121 of his 194 dribbles in the Premier League this season – only Adama Traore (174) and Wilfred Zaha (161) have completed more.
What’s next?
Brighton will travel to Burnley on the final day of the season (Sunday, 26 July – 16:00 BST), while Newcastle host champions Liverpool at the same time.