Newcastle were left looking over their shoulders after a 3-0 defeat to Brighton compounded their fears of relegation.
Brighton went into the game one point above Newcastle in the table, but looked a class above their opponents throughout.
The win will give them confidence of climbing further away from the drop zone, whereas Newcastle now face an anxious final few months of the season.
Brighton had the first chance of the game, when Jakub Moder – on his home debut – fired over after a cross from Neal Maupay.
Moder had another chance shortly after, stinging the palms of Martin Dubravka with a sidefooted effort.
Yves Bissouma was next to join in the action, but his effort was even more comfortable for the Newcastle keeper.
Brighton continued to put pressure on Newcastle for the duration of the first half. Leandro Trossard created another chance, but Maupay was unable to capitalise.
The game was interrupted towards the end of the half when Isaac Hayden was injured in an accidental collision with Bissouma. Hayden had to be replaced by Jeff Hendrick.
When play resumed, Brighton soon got the lead they deserved. Trossard expertly brought the ball down before turning inside and curling a shot into the bottom corner.
Sensational from Leandro Trossard!
The Belgian makes it two goals in as many games with a beautiful strike!
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Coming in stoppage time, it was a crucial time at which to score – and was exactly in keeping with the run of play.
Newcastle, who had gone the entire first half without a shot on target, went their closest yet shortly after the break when Ryan Fraser hit the post.
Things get worse for Newcastle
Their threat of a comeback was short-lived, though, as Brighton doubled their lead almost immediately after.
Danny Welbeck received the ball on the left wing, driving inside before curling a shot into the far corner from outside the box.
WELBECK!
What a finish from Danny Welbeck to double Brighton's lead!
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Both goals up to that point had been impressive, and goal number three was no different.
Pascal Gross skinned his marker on the wing before sending a low cross in, which Maupay got on the end of to bring up his first goal in more than two months.
Brighton continued to offer more in attack and Alexis Mac Allister was next to force a save out of Dubravka. It wouldn’t have mattered anyway, as the Albion attacker had been offside.
But it was just another reminder of how on top Brighton were – and they kept hold of their three-goal advantage.
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It leaves Newcastle with serious work to do if they are to stay out of the relegation zone. They remain just two points above 18th-placed Fulham.
The Magpies may have a game in hand over the Cottagers, but the latter have a better goal difference. It makes for a compelling final few months of the season at the bottom end of the table.
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