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Newcastle face Brighton in the fifth round of the FA Cup as both sides look to take a step closer to a place at Wembley.
Newcastle have the chance to end a 70-year trophy drought when they face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on 16 March, but the Magpies will also fancy their chances in this competition, with an edition that appears as open as any in recent years. While their hopes of Champions League qualification were dented by defeat to Arne Slot’s league leaders in midweek, news that Alexander Isak’s injury is not thought to be a long-term issue is welcome for Eddie Howe.
Brighton were knocked out at this stage a year ago but arrive here in fine fettle, bouncing back from a 7-0 drubbing against Nottingham Forest with four successive strong wins. Fabian Hurzeler’s side have already beaten Newcastle once on their own patch this season – do the same today and a last eight berth will be theirs.
Follow all the latest from St James’ Park with our live blog below:
Newcastle 0-0 Brighton, 3 minutes
How did Alexander Isak not score? Two chances in a matter of seconds for the striker inside the six-yard box, first meeting a Harvey Barnes stand-up at the far stick, before throwing a left boot at the rebound. Adam Webster blocks the first effort; the second spoons over the crossbar! A let-off for Brighton!
Harry Latham-Coyle2 March 2025 13:48
Newcastle 0-0 Brighton, 2 minutes
Sandro Tonali is again in that deeper Newcastle role at the base of midfield, with Lewis Miley and the returning Joelinton alongside him. Tino Livramento switches across to left-back with Kieran Trippier in the side, with Anthony Gordon up ahead of him on the left flank.
Harry Latham-Coyle2 March 2025 13:47
Newcastle 0-0 Brighton, 1 minute
An early flash of Kaoru Mitoma’s fancy footwork, a delicious take on the run enabling the left winger to dance past Kieran Trippier. Jack Hinshelwood fires a shot at goal but the hosts have bodies back to block.
Harry Latham-Coyle2 March 2025 13:46
Newcastle vs Brighton
Out the players come, the black and white flags waving around St James’ Park. Brighton have already won once here this season – can they book their spot in the quarter-finals with another success on Tyneside?
Harry Latham-Coyle2 March 2025 13:42
Eddie Howe on his selection
“Alexander Isak is fully fit and recovered,” the Newcastle manager tells ITV. “We’re delighted he is back. He’s led the line really well this year, he’s pivotal to the way we play.
“Joelinton is looking good. He’s the ultimate professional in terms of his recovery from injury. he adds a physical strength, a dimension we’ve missed in recent weeks. I don’t think he’ll play the whole game.
“It’s an opportunity for the players coming in. We’ve got a strong squad and I’ve tried to use it.”
Harry Latham-Coyle2 March 2025 13:35
FA Cup records
Newcaslte’s last major trophy was the FA Cup, which they won in 1955 – the Magpies have not won a major trophy since then, though they did win the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969. Nevertheless, they remain one of the most successful sides in the competition, having won it six times.
Brighton have never won this trophy, with their best performance coming when they lost a final replay to Manchester United in 1983.
The Seagulls’ best performance since then was when they reached the semi-finals in 2023 – when they also lost to United, this time on penalties.
Chris Wilson2 March 2025 13:30
Match facts
Newcastle have won just two of their last 15 meetings with Brighton in all competitions (D7 L6).
Brighton have won each of their last four FA Cup games against Newcastle without conceding a single goal.
Newcastle have progressed from each of their last nine FA Cup fifth round ties – since a 1-0 loss at Blackburn in 1992/93 – while Brighton have reached the FA Cup fifth round in three consecutive campaigns for the very first time.
Chris Wilson2 March 2025 13:25
Inside the Premier League’s frantic race to secure Champions League football
Something that concerns both of these sides…
Except, this points to one of the stories of the season so far, right across the top half of the table. Nobody other than Liverpool is seizing the moment. Nobody else is really maximising good positions.
Newcastle’s victory was almost a case in point. Forest evidently couldn’t hold a lead but Eddie Howe’s team struggled almost as much with an even bigger lead. It is like this almost everywhere, to the point that crisis-wracked Tottenham Hotspur are currently on the longest winning streak in the division with three in a row.
Chris Wilson2 March 2025 13:20