Brighton v Newcastle: Danny Welbeck gets better with age

Newcastle needed no reminding, of course.

Welbeck scored what proved to be the winner against them in the reverse fixture in the league last October and also bagged the goal that knocked Eddie Howe’s team out of the FA Cup at St James’ Park last March.

Even Howe could not help but hold his hands up.

“You have to give him a lot of credit for the two goals he scored today, especially the first one,” he said.

“Because that’s not easy to run away from our backline and have the composure to finish past Nick, who had been in great form and made a couple of good saves in the first half.

“For him to still be playing in the way that he is, is a credit to him.”

So how does Welbeck do it?

This is a player who previously had well-documented injury issues in years gone by, but he has shown he can thrive in the demands of Hurzeler’s system.

For context, no other side have forced more high turnovers in the Premier League this season than Brighton.

As much as forwards have to deliver in front of goal, under Hurzeler, they also have to work tirelessly without the ball.

And Hurzeler was keen to highlight how Welbeck led from the front in that regard with his “recovery runs” against Newcastle.

“He’s a top professional,” he said. “Before and after training, he always tries to be prepared. He does a good recovery.

“Every training session, he goes 100%. He never tries to rest. That’s the main thing and, on top of that, if you have a good personality and lead by behaviour and performance, that’s the main thing how to describe Danny Welbeck.

“He’s always there. He’s not a selfish personality – he’s always there for his team-mates.”