Newcastle vs Brighton LIVE: FA Cup latest score and goal updates as Alexander Isak starts fifth-round tie

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 vs Brighton LIVE

• Newcastle face Brighton in the FA Cup today, with kick-off at 1.45pm GMT | Live on ITV1

• Newcastle XI: Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Trippier; Tonali, Joelinton, Miley; Barnes, Isak, Gordon.

• Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Lamptey, Webster, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Hinshelwood; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Joao Pedro.

• KICK OFF!

Newcastle United FC 0 – 0 Brighton & Hove Albion FC

Newcastle 0-0 Brighton, 13 minutes

13:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Joelinton looks to be moving reasonably well, the midfielder returning slightly ahead of schedule from a knee issue. Eddie Howe’s comments ahead of kick off suggest he’s not yet at full fitness, but it’s a big boost to have the Brazilian back.

Newcastle 0-0 Brighton, 10 minutes

13:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It feels nice and open so far, though, both teams eager to progress in possession. It’s a lovely day on Tyneside, incidentally, the sun bright and beating down on a corner of St James’ Park as it begins its descent.

Newcastle 0-0 Brighton, 9 minutes

13:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fantastic football from Brighton, finding their flow for the first time. A delightful pass from Pervis Estupinan and touch from Georginio Rutter centrally sets them on their way, with Yankuba Minteh scampering onwards. Tariq Lamptey is set free down the right and fizzes in a cross, but it is at an awkward height for Rutter, who can only craft an unorthodox attempt which fails to find the target.

Newcastle 0-0 Brighton, 6 minutes

13:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Appealing arms from Brighton this time as Joao Pedro takes a tumble on the fringes of the Newcastle box. Hmm – Dan Burn didn’t seem to actually take the ball there, but the referee is content with his challenge.

Newcastle 0-0 Brighton, 5 minutes

13:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Brighton are disappointed when a peep of Anthony Taylor’s whistle halts their counter-attack, though there had been a high boot from Georginio Rutter on Sandro Tonali. Just a free kick – nothing like as nasty a collision as the incident involving Jean-Philippe Mateta yesterday.

Newcastle 0-0 Brighton, 3 minutes

13:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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!

Newcastle 0-0 Brighton, 2 minutes

13:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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.

Newcastle 0-0 Brighton, 1 minute

13:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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.

KICK OFF!

13:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And we’re off!

Newcastle vs Brighton

13:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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?

Eddie Howe on his selection

13:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“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.”

FA Cup records

13:30 , Chris Wilson

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.

Match facts

13:25 , Chris Wilson

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.

Inside the Premier League’s frantic race to secure Champions League football

13:20 , Chris Wilson

Something that concerns both of these sides…

In the build-up to Nottingham Forest-Arsenal, Nuno Espirito Santo has been trying to get his players to put the weekend behind them – other than to remember one lesson. That is to seize the moment, especially when momentum is going a certain way. His Forest team’s inability to do that was still hurting Nuno after that 4-3 defeat to Newcastle United. He felt a huge comeback was there to be secured. That sense of regret is all the more important ahead of Wednesday’s game, since Arsenal’s troubles offer an opportunity for a big win.

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.

Head-to-head

13:15 , Chris Wilson

These two sides have faced each other just 20 times in the past, with Brighton winning eight, Newcastle winning five and seven ending as draws.

Earlier this season, the Seagulls ran out 1-0 winners in the league at St James’ Park.

When is the FA Cup quarter-final draw?

13:10 , Chris Wilson

The draw will take place after the conclusion of the match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday, 2 March.

How can I watch the draw?

The draw will take place live as part of the BBC’s broadcast of the match between United and Fulham. That kicks off at 4.30pm, so the draw could take place around 7.30pm depending on whether the tie goes to extra-time.

Fabian Hurzeler speaks to ITV ahead of kick off

12:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“For me, the cup tournament is always a chance to win a title. It’s a big opportunity for us. It is a do or die game, we have to go all in. We are in good form; we will see if it is our best form today.

“We have done the basic things right. We have to push our limits and standards today. Every game is different. Of course we can take some things we did well in the last game we won [at St James Park], but there are things we need to improve.

“We had to prepare for both options, with Isak and without Isak. It’s a big opportunity for them – also Joelinton [is back], but we prepared for that.”

Team news – Brighton

12:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Brighton bring in Jack Hinshelwood in the lone change to the starting side that beat Bournemouth. Diego Gomez drops to the bench.

Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Lamptey, Webster, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Hinshelwood; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Joao Pedro.

Team news – Newcastle

12:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Alexander Isak is fit to START for Newcastle after that midweek injury scare against Liverpool. Joelinton also returns to Eddie Howe’s starting side.

Newcastle XI: Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Trippier; Tonali, Joelinton, Miley; Barnes, Isak, Gordon.

Team news

12:40 , Chris Wilson

The line-ups should be released in around five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news…

Newcastle will hope to welcome back Alexander Isak after he missed the loss to Liverpool, while Sven Botman and Joelinton could both be in line for a return at the weekend (though Joelinton is more likely to be sidelined for another week or so).

Callum Wilson will be assessed after coming off against Liverpool, though it is believed he will be fine.

Fabian Hurzeler has no new injury concerns after the win over Bournemouth, though Lewis Dunk and Joel Veltman are still some way from making a return.

Igor Julio remains the only long-term absentee, though James Milner and Ferdi Kadioglu will likely remain sidelined until around April.

What is semi-automated offside technology and how does it work?

12:30 , Chris Wilson

Semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) will be used in English football for the first time this weekend as it makes its domestic debut in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Seven of the eight ties will utilise the technology, which is designed to improve the speed and efficiency of VAR checks around offside decisions.

SAOT has been used in the Champions League since the 2022-23 season, having also featured at the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.

The Premier League voted unanimously to introduce the technology last year, but its unveiling in English football has been delayed at various stages this season.

What is semi-automated offside technology and how does it work?

FA Cup finally set to debut semi-automated offside technology in English football

12:15 , Chris Wilson

The FA Cup will welcome semi-automated offside technology for its English football debut.

Seven of the eight fifth-round ties will utilise the groundbreaking technology, which is designed to improve the efficiency of VAR checks.

Premier League stadiums will roll out the technology, however, the Preston vs Burnley tie is the only exception for the fifth round.

FA Cup finally set to debut semi-automated offside technology in English football

Still to come in the FA Cup

12:05 , Chris Wilson

This match is the first of two today in the cup, with Manchester United taking on Fulham at Old Trafford later – kick-off in that one is at 4.30pm.

Tomorrow, Nottingham Forest face Ipswich Town at the City Ground, with kick-off at 7.30pm.

Prediction

11:55 , Chris Wilson

Both sides will likely name a strong starting eleven with a week until their next match, with home advantage potentially playing an important role for the Magpies. It will be close but Eddie Howe’s side should have enough to book a place in the quarter-finals.

Newcastle 2-1 Brighton.

Predicted line-ups

11:50 , Chris Wilson

Newcastle XI: Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.

Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Lamptey, van Hecke, Webster, Estupinan; Baleba, Gomez; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Pedro.

Team news

11:42 , Chris Wilson

Fabian Hurzeler has no new injury concerns after the win over Bournemouth, though Lewis Dunk and Joel Veltman are still some way from making a return.

Igor Julio remains the only long-term absentee, though James Milner and Ferdi Kadioglu will likely remain sidelined until around April.

Team news

11:35 , Chris Wilson

Newcastle will hope to welcome back Alexander Isak after he missed the loss to Liverpool, while Sven Botman and Joelinton could both be in line for a return at the weekend (though Joelinton is more likely to be sidelined for another week or so).

Callum Wilson will be assessed after coming off against Liverpool, though it is believed he will be fine.

Is Newcastle vs Brighton on TV?

11:25 , Chris Wilson

When is Newcastle vs Brighton?

The match is scheduled to kick off at 1.45pm GMT on Sunday, 2 March at St James’ Park in Newcastle.

How can I watch the match?

Viewers in the UK can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage starting at 12.45pm. Subscribers can also watch online via ITVX.

Newcastle vs Brighton LIVE

11:15 , Chris Wilson

Newcastle United take on Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup today, with both sides vying for a place in the quarter-finals as they look to end respective trophy droughts.

While much has been made of Newcastle’s 70-year drought since winning this competition in 1955, Brighton have never won a major trophy, having been losing finalists in 1983.

And neither side will be letting up today, with the tournament having opened up after early exits for both Liverpool and Arsenal.

Eddie Howe’s side enter the match having already booked a place in the Carabao Cup final this season, while Brighton have improved in recent weeks and find themselves firmly in the race for European football alongside the Magpies.

Newcastle vs Brighton LIVE

11:00 , Chris Wilson

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s FA Cup fifth round match between Newcastle and Brighton.

Both sides are vying for a place in the quarter-finals and with some big clubs having already exited the competition, this could be the year when one of the non-big six clubs wins the famous trophy.

Newcastle are looking to end a 70-year trophy drought this season, while Brighton have never won the FA Cup.

We’ll have all the latest build-up and updates from St James Park right here.