IT wasn’t the win and the glorious St James’ Park summer send-off Newcastle had hoped for but nor was it a disaster. This was, realistically, the day the Magpies accepted defeat in their bid to catch Tottenham, but a sixth-place finish is still in their own hands, despite only picking up one point rather than all three against Brighton.

Even if Chelsea beat Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s evening game and in the unlikely event out of form Manchester United beat Arsenal on Sunday, Newcastle head for Old Trafford on Wednesday and Brentford next weekend knowing two wins will guarantee European football next season.

Of course, that's easier said than done. Newcastle's away form this season has been disappointing. That said, Howe would have snapped your hand off to be in this position had it been offered at various stages this term, perhaps even as early as September when Brighton comfortably beat Newcastle 3-1, a third successive defeat at the time for the Magpies.

Brighton headed for St James’ Park for the return fixture on the back of success against Aston Villa last week but there was plenty to encourage United. Not since September had Albion won back to back Premier League games, their only away win since November had come at bottom club Sheffield United and the shot-shy Seagulls had scored just two goals in their last six games.

Hence the ironic chants from the away end when Joel Veltman bundled Brighton into a 18th minute lead. “We’ve scored a goal” and “how s**t must you be, we’re winning away”, sang those up high in blue.

At kick-off any chants from that section of the ground were drowned out by an electric home atmosphere. And the volume went up a notch again thanks to United’s bright start. Brighton were suffocated early on and such was Roberto De Zerbi’s frustration and concern, the dugout was on the receiving end of the Italian’s angry fist. He must have had to resist the urge to give the away dressing room wall the same treatment after Sean Longstaff had equalised with the last kick of the first half.

Between the two goals, Brighton – particularly Julio Enciso – had chances to extend the lead given to them by Veltman. The opening goal had come from a corner, taken by Pascal Gross, flicked on by Welbeck and turned in by the Dutch, defender, who got in front of Elliot Anderson to turn home. Anderson, back in the team for the absent Callum Wilson, would make amends, teeing up Longstaff for the leveller.

Enciso was a threat throughout but his wastefulness in front of goal proved costly.  Only in the team because Joao Pedro was injured, the Paraguayan teed up Welbeck shortly after the opener but Dubravka raced off his line to deny the ex-England striker. Dubravka should have been tested by the unmarked Enciso inside the box soon after but he headed over before the 20-year-old prodded wide after wriggling into space and creating a chance for himself. He almost created another opportunity for Facundo Buonanotte after robbing Emil Krafth of possession in first half stoppage time. Not for the first time, Albion failed to take advantage after getting themselves into a promising position and were this time made to pay.

It's worth pointing out here that less than 10 minutes earlier de Zerbi had been forced into a substitution, goalscorer Veltman injured and replaced at right-back by Tariq Lamptey, who was returning after a month out of action because of his injury. What you don’t want after a spell on the sidelines is to be thrust straight in cold against one of the Premier League’s form players in Gordon. The goal came down that side. Gordon twisted this way and that before teeing up Anderson, who crossed for Longstaff.

Lamptey very nearly turned the ball into his own net early in the second half. Isak crossed, aiming for Gordon and although the Brighton full-back got there first, he skewed his clearance and was rescued by Verbruggen.

Now Newcastle were the livelier and as the Magpies looked to turn the screw, it was no surprise that Howe turned to his bench at the midway point of the second half. What was a surprise, though, was the fact Isak was one of the three players replaced. He certainly didn’t look like he expected it. Harvey Barnes was introduced alongside Joelinton and Miguel Almiron, with Gordon moving through the middle.

Barnes had a chance to steal the headlines as he did against West Ham when a cross was cut back in his direction but blazed over from the penalty spot and then fired straight at Verbruggen with another opportunity soon after.

There was late drama. First, Newcastle thought they’d won it when Gordon put the ball in the net but Almiron, who teed him up, was slightly offside when played in by Barnes. There was a big shout for a penalty in stoppage time when Gordon went down but Darren England waved away the claims and the referee then booked Almiron for diving when he tumbled in the box.