Brighton vs Newcastle player ratings: Perfect 10 for superstar striker and several 9s and 8s as Albion back to their scintillating best

The Irishman, 18, seems to have every attribute needed to be one of the Premier League’s great strikers – and they were clear for all to see in a dominant Albion performance.

Newcastle squandered two golden opportunities to take the lead in the opening five minutes but Albion recovered well and started creating chances of their own in an entertaining encounter.

With the game on a knife-edge, Ferguson gave Brighton the lead after 27 minutes with a poacher’s finish after Billy Gilmour’s powerful strike was fumbled by Nick Pope.

It was a deserved goal for Roberto De Zerbi’s side, who looked dangerous whenever they came forward.

Newcastle barely troubled Bart Verbruggen in the Brighton goal and it was Albion who looked more likely to double their lead.

They did just that when that man Ferguson found the bottom corner from distance with a superb strike. The teenager then bagged his first career hat-trick just minutes later via a heavy deflection.

He was taken off to a standing ovation, as Albion made multiple changes to see out the game.

There was a slight blemish to the score-line when Callum Wilson scored a fine goal in injury-time but the Albion fans wouldn’t mind too much after a fantastic display.

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