Nightmare avoided as Isak leaves it late at the AMEX - Brighton 1-1 Newcastle

It wasn't an easy watch and we left it late, but an 89-minute penalty from Alexander Isak preserves our place in the top five as we come away from the AMEX with a point.

The result means we are now three clear of Aston Villa (with far better goal difference), Chelsea and Nottingham Forest, although the latter pair are still to play this bank holiday weekend, with Chelsea facing Liverpool at 4.30pm and Forest travelling to Palace tomorrow night.

No matter what happens in Chelsea's game this afternoon, it feels like our meeting with the Blues next Sunday will be absolutely massive and set to have a huge say in who ends up in those top-five spots.

Brighton had conceded two or more in their last six games, but we didn't do enough to exploit those frailties for much of the afternoon, with our final ball often lacking in a frustrating first half decided by who else but Yankuba Minteh.

Considering the home side had won just one of their last six and conceded two or more in all of those, it was a tame effort from Newcastle, who were sloppy in both boxes before a second half filled with so many big moments that went against us.

Whether it was a second yellow that should've been for Wieffer, two penalty calls reversed by VAR or promising attacks that were ultimately wasted, it felt like a 1-0 defeat was looming until a late spot-kick that FINALLY went our way.

Eddie Howe went with the same 11 that beat Ipswich 3-0 last weekend, seeing Joe Willock keep his place on the left side of our midfield three in Joelinton's absence, meaning Anthony Gordon and Sven Botman remained on the bench.

We made a positive start and had a couple of moments in the opening 15 minutes, where Barnes fired one shot just wide and Murphy and Willock also had some joy getting into decent positions down either flank.

However, the problem was the lack of final ball. We'd shaded the opening half an hour and seen the home side pose very little threat, but our final ball was regularly lacking on the rare occasion we got in and around Brighton's box, highlighted by a great burst from Willock that ended with a tame effort fired over the bar.

Then, months after scoring in our FA Cup exit to Brighton at St James' Park, Yankuba Minteh would come back to haunt us. Such a poor goal to concede, as the Gambian cut in from the right and fired a left-footed shot past Pope after ghosting past Livramento and Tonali far too easily.

A rare touch for Isak saw him and Barnes link up well before setting up Bruno on the edge of the box, but the Brazilian's shot was weak and easily gathered.

To go into the break 1-0 down in such a low-key first half was a hug disappointment, as we wasted two or three openings at one end and were punished at the other with Brighton's one and only big opening. We were indecisive in both boxes and a huge second half was needed to avoid what was turning into a nightmare weekend.

Despite our awful record at the AMEX - no wins in seven Premier League visits - we had recovered 18 points from losing positions this season; a tally only Liverpool and Man City can better.

We came out from the break with intent, but had a great opening come to nothing after Barnes got in down the left and saw his cut-back went straight to a blue and white shirt. A positive sign, although that final product had to improve.

Then, two minutes later, we had Trippier to thank at the other end for a vital clearance from Minteh's low cross before Brighton narrowly escaped a second yellow as the already-booked Wieffer left Tonali in a heap.

Changes followed and our first saw Gordon replace Murphy before the hour mark. And he made an instant impact, with Lamptey bringing him down for what initially looked like a penalty - only for VAR replays to show that contact came from outside the box.

We looked better for Gordon's introduction and were starting to dominate, but opportunities to equalise kept passing us by, as Barnes had one powerful shot saved, Murphy fired over and a back-heeled effort from Isak was blocked.

Another big moment then went against us with 20 minutes remaining, making you wonder if it was just going to be one of those days. Willock got to the ball before Van Hecke and it initially looked like he was taken out by the centre-back as Pawson pointed to the spot for the second time. But, once again, after VAR intervention, we were denied and Willock was booked for a dive.

Howe reacted with his second change, where Callum Wilson replaced Willock; who'd offered a few promising bursts but no end product in a performance that summed up our afternoon at the AMEX.

But then, in the 89th-minute, Isak stepped up with a penalty that was finally given. Schar's free kick struck Ayari's hand and there was no denying this one. The Swede then did the rest, burying his penalty in front of a packed out away end.

Nine minutes of added time followed and Wilson went close, forcing a big save from the Brighton goalkeeper, although the hosts could've also won it as Gomez headed a massive chance wide. Phew!

A far better second half and a result that avoids a disastrous defeat, although it really does make next Sunday's meeting with Chelsea a must-win as we wait for Liverpool and Palace to hopefully do us a favour...

Newcastle XI: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Barnes.

Subs: Dubravka, Miley, Longstaff, Wilson*, Krafth*, Osula, Gordon*, Botman*, Neave