Ruthless Brighton take full advantage of Steve Bruce's and Newcastle plight

Brighton and Hove Albion celebrate Neal Maupay's goal in the 3-0 victory against Newcastle at the Amex Stadium

Full time analysis: Ian Hart was at the Amex and gives his verdict on a remarkable performance from Graham Potter's that eases relegation anxiety ahead of the international break

To totally dominate the first half hour, more than 70 per cent possession, not a single goal attempt by the visitors up against Albion’s five, prompted the almost obligatory sense of inevitability.

But that fear was initially allayed in first half stoppage time when Leandro Trossard's strike gave Albion a deserved lead.

The one-sided first half would have had the armchair army of Albion fans at home wondering, if Graham Potter had knocked on the Newcastle dressing room at the break and asked for his kitchen sink back?

Another quality strike on 51 minutes saw Danny Welbeck double Albion’s lead and for the first time this season take a two goal lead - and the first time ever in the Premier League the Albion have scored two goals from outside the box, telling statistics in a overall frustrating season.

That said, if supporting the Albion can be classed as frustrating, following Newcastle takes it up to a Spinal Tap ‘11’ on the despair stakes.

It’s nothing short of a tragedy for the Toon faithful to be served up with this dismal fare week in week out, frankly they deserve far better.

Then again in a relegation scrap, taking advantage of another club’s misfortune is all part of the process.

And under fire striker Neil Maupay did just that, adding a third on 68 minutes with a superb finish from inside the penalty area.

A second home win in 2021,a 100 per cent increase on 2020, and judging purely on the fact that the Albion are four points above 17th place Newcastle, a fifth consecutive season in the top flight looks like the safest of bets.