Welbeck’s Double Keeps Brighton Top, Woltemade’s Flick Falls Short

When Danny Welbeck, striker for Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club netted a brace at the Amex Stadium on October 18, 2025, the Seagulls edged Newcastle United 2‑1 in a gripping Premier League Matchweek 8 showdown. The afternoon kickoff at 15:00 UTC saw a packed crowd of 30,750 witnessing the ebb and flow of a classic English top‑flight battle.

Match Summary

The first half was a cat‑and‑mouse affair. Brighton pressed high, forcing Newcastle’s back line to shuffle. In the 41st minute, Pascal Groß slipped the ball past Nick Pope, allowing Welbeck to lunge on goal and finish cleanly. The stadium erupted, and the Seagulls led 1‑0 at the break.

Newcastle answered in the 70s. A swift move down the right saw a cross from Kieran Trippier arrive at the feet of Nick Woltemade, the 23‑year‑old German forward. He turned sharply, back‑heeled the ball into the net at the 76th minute – his fifth league goal of the season. The commentary on Newcastle’s official YouTube channel described it as "a tremendous back‑heeled finish" that left the Brighton defence flat‑footed.

But the drama wasn’t over. Just eight minutes later, Welbeck struck again. A sloppy challenge by Dan Burn produced a rebound that Welbeck tapped in, sealing a 2‑1 victory. NBC Sports noted after the match that "Brighton keep a clean sheet in the Premier League this season, scoring 10 and conceding 10 up to this point."

Key Players and Moments

Welbeck, now 34, has turned his experience into a goal‑scoring machine. This brace lifted his season tally to three and nudged his career Premier League total past the 95‑goal mark. "I just love getting the ball in dangerous areas," Welbeck said in the post‑match interview. "It feels good to help the team and give the fans something to celebrate."

Woltemade, signed for £45 million from Werder Bremen in August 2024, showed why Newcastle spent big. His back‑heel was not just a flash of skill; it smacked the net from a tight angle, a moment that prompted the YouTube commentator to exclaim, "What a flick! Is there nothing he can’t do?"

Defensively, Dan Burn made a mixed impression. While his size and positioning earned him praise from NBC Sports – "Burn positions himself really well" – his mistimed tackle gifted Welbeck the rebound that proved decisive. Brighton’s goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, meanwhile, kept his clean‑sheet streak alive with a few sharp saves, especially a low‑driven shot from Jacob Murphy in the 64th minute.

Tactical Battles

Brighton’s manager, Roberto De Zerbi, stuck to his high‑pressing philosophy. The Seagulls switched to a 3‑4‑3 formation after halftime, compressing the middle third and forcing Newcastle into errors. The press paid off when the Seagulls recovered the ball after a failed Newcastle pass, leading directly to the opening goal.

Newcastle, under Eddie Howe, tried a more pragmatic 4‑2‑3‑1, looking to hit on the counter‑attack. The plan almost worked when a quick break in the 71st minute saw Woltemade outrun the defence, but the Seagulls’ disciplined back line stepped up, limiting any further damage.

Both teams displayed fluidity on the flanks. Brighton’s full‑backs, Lewis Dunk and Jan Paul van Hecke, overlapped frequently, delivering crosses that kept the Newcastle centre‑backs on their toes. Conversely, Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy tried to create space on the right, but Brighton’s midfield trio of Billy Gilmour, Alexis Mac Allister, and Florent Balmes pressed him hard, cutting off supply lines.

Implications for the Table

With the win, Brighton climb to eighth place, holding 12 points after eight games – a solid mid‑table position that keeps them in the conversation for a European spot. Their record now reads three wins, three draws, and two losses.

Newcastle drop to 14th with nine points, extending a three‑match winless streak that includes a 3‑1 loss at Manchester City earlier in the month. The Magpies’ form has been volatile, and this defeat raises questions about their ability to secure automatic safety before the winter break.

Statistically, Brighton have scored and conceded ten goals each, while Newcastle have netted nine but let in twelve. The goal‑difference swing of +1 for Brighton and –1 for Newcastle could prove decisive in a tightly packed league.

Looking Ahead

Brighton’s next challenge arrives on October 25 when they travel to face Fulham at Craven Cottage. De Zerbi will likely maintain his aggressive approach, hoping to keep the momentum rolling.

Newcastle, meanwhile, host Bournemouth at St. James’ Park. Howe will need to tighten the defence and find a way to unlock the Magpies’ attack, perhaps looking to Woltemade for that extra spark.

Key Facts

• Venue: Amex Stadium, Brighton.
• Attendance: 30,750 (full capacity).
• Scorers: Danny Welbeck (41’, 84’), Nick Woltemade (76’).
• Man of the Match: Danny Welbeck (2 goals, 1 assist).
• Next fixtures: Brighton vs Fulham (Oct 25), Newcastle vs Bournemouth (Oct 25).