Newcastle reclaims top spot with late comeback
Newcastle United was 1-0 down with nine minutes to play at Brighton but reclaimed top spot in the Championship with a dramatic 2-1 win.
Glenn Murray won and converted a 14th-minute penalty as Chris Hughton's team made an excellent start and, for the majority of the contest at the Amex Arena, Brighton appeared set to hold on to top spot.
Newcastle was short of its best but gradually worked its way into the contest and Diame levelled in fortuitous fashion nine minutes from time.
Substitute Perez then showed ice-cold composure in the penalty area to snatch an 89th-minute winner that puts Newcastle two points ahead of its opponent before another crunch promotion clash this weekend when they head to third-placed Huddersfield Town.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa made it back-to-back wins and eased its relegation fears with a vital 2-0 victory over Bristol City, who is now only outside the bottom three on goal difference after Blackburn Rovers' 1-0 win over Derby County.
Aston Villa striker Jonathan Kodjia was barracked by the Bristol City fans when he struck the crossbar against his old club with a first-half penalty at Villa Park.
But chants of "What a waste of money" from the travelling supporters were sarcastically returned by the Villa faithful after the Ivory Coast international glanced in Albert Adomah's 54th-minute cross.
Kodjia looked to repay the favour five minutes later – teeing up Adomah, whose scuffed shot ran kindly for Conor Hourihane to finish.
Victory moves Steve Bruce's team nine points clear of City and third-bottom Blackburn, which has four points in two outings under new boss Tony Mowbray after Craig Conway crashed home a penalty before the hour to sink Derby.
It is now six winless matches in succession for Steve McClaren's men, leaving them 10 points adrift of the play-off places.
