Brighton and Hove Albion’s hopes of challenging for European football next season suffered a huge blow after being thrashed 4-1 by Newcastle United at St. James Park on Thursday.
Sixth-place Brighton entered with an outside shot of clinching a Champions League qualifying spot, having played fewer games than fifth and fourth-placed Liverpool and Manchester United.
However, they saw that chance damaged with the heavy defeat at the hands of Newcastle.
Goals from Dan Burns, Callum Willson, and Bruno Gonzales in the first half extra time, 89th and 91st minute sealed the deal for Newcastle who were helped by an early Deniz Undav own goal in minute 22 which set the tone for the win.
Despite Undav’s 51st-minute consolation goal, it did little to curtail the overall implication of the loss as they remain seven points behind Liverpool, who currently sits in the Europa League standings on 55 points, one behind United who occupies the final Champions League spot with 56.
The result means that Brighton’s push to overtake Liverpool or United in the final three games of the season is now out of their hands and will rely on a loss by both teams to restore any chance of a top-five finish.
While Brighton laments on the implications of the loss, Newcastle continues to relish the prospects of champions league football next season as they move three points clear of Man U on 69 points for third.
Should the Magpies win their last two games or United lose two of their remaining three fixtures, they will secure a return to European football for the first time in 20 years.
