Hemed strike helps Brighton down Newcastle

1-0 win takes the Seagulls to 13th place on league table with eight points

LONDON: Brighton and Hove Albion players denied Championship winners' medals by Newcastle United last season were celebrating revenge of a sort after beating them 1-0 in the Premier League on Sunday.

Winning away to Brighton last February with two goals in the final 10 minutes helped Newcastle pip the south coast club for the (second tier) Championship title by one point.

"If everyone can remember the game here with Newcastle last season, it’s a shame we didn’t win," said Israeli striker Tomer Hemed.  "I think in the last few games we have been playing well. This win can give us a push for the next games. We deserve it."

Midfielder Dale Stephens, whose header across goal from a free kick set up Hemed to score, admitted there was a blocking move involved in the set-piece routine.

"I’m glad it paid off. We change the blocker each time," he said. "We’re playing against a team who are flying, which makes it sweeter. We deserved it, we worked hard, we played well today. A win is massive in this division."

Former Newcastle striker and manager Alan Shearer was disappointed with the team's performance after successive league wins against West Ham United, Swansea City and Stoke City had lifted them to fourth place in the table last weekend.

Not good enough today from @NUFC unfortunately. The better team won. #BHANEW

— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) September 24, 2017