Newcastle left the Amex Stadium on Sunday with a point that maintained fourth position in the Premier League after an 89th minute penalty conversion by Alexander Isak - their third spot kick award of the afternoon.

The previous two had come earlier in the second half as Eddie Howe's side kicked towards their own supporters, but on both occasions referee Craig Pawson's onfield decision was over-ruled by VAR operative Andy Madley.

The first came shortly after United made an initial alteration to a starting line-up unchanged from the win over Ipswich Town, introducing Anthony Gordon for Jacob Murphy.

Gordon's first involvement was to go down under challenge from Tariq Lamptey in the 57th minute, only for a review to confirm that the illegal contact was fractionally outside the Albion box - play restarting with a free kick instead.
 
A similar situation then saw Joe Willock tumble under pressure from Jan Paul van Hecke in the 71st minute, Pawson this time invited to study the footage on the pitchside monitor; awarding a free kick to Brighton and cautioning the Newcastle player for simulation. 

Attempts to wipe out the home side's first half goal from old boy Yankuba Minteh looked destined for failure until the 89th minute, when Pawson again pointed to the penalty spot - this time after a free kick right on the "D" for a foul on Harvey Barnes was taken by Fabian Schar and clearly handled by Yasin Ayari in the box.

That decision stood after a further check deemed that there was no offside call; Isak supplying a fine finish from 12 yards into the corner of the net and the game resuming after visiting players trying to retrieve the ball became embroiled in a wrestling match in the goal. 

The trio of spot kick incidents contributed to nine minutes of added time during which both sides could have won it: Diego Gomez somehow putting a clear header wide following a free kick before substitute Callum Wilson's fierce first-time effort was tipped over by Bart Verbruggen.

United dominated proceedings and should have been ahead at the break but their failure to provide decent crosses or final balls in the opening half left worthwhile chances in short supply and top scorer Isak a peripheral figure.

Instead they trailed to an inevitable goal from Minteh - reluctantly sold to the Seagulls ahead of the season to comply with PSR requirements and beating Nick Pope here with a left-footed shot that flicked in off Dan Burn.

That goal had come in the 28th minute, not long after Willock had come close to finding the net at the end of a dash from the halfway line reminiscent of his early Toon career - ignoring the waiting Isak but then clipping his effort narrowly over the crossbar.

United's attacks were more constant after the break and Harvey Barnes caused problems for the home defence on both flanks, but couldn't find his team mates in front of goal.

Albion claimed an 80th minute penalty at the other end after Sandro Tonali became entangled with Matt O'Riley, but nothing was given on the pitch or off it to the consternation of home followers.

Then came Isak's penalty conversion to register his 23rd Premier League goal of the season, after which both sides tried unsuccessfully to collect three points to further enhance their respective European aspirations.

Neither will have been happy with a draw but the visitors at least left a ground they've routinely struggled at with something tangible to show for their second half uplift. We're at the stage in the season where points rather than performances are all that really matter - and our misgivings as to whether it's worth playing in the Champions League without a revamped squad aren't voiced.

United stayed fourth; one point behind than Manchester City and ahead of Chelsea only on goals scored. Their 3-1 defeat of a hungover Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in the Sunday teatime game brought them level on points and goal difference with Howe's side.

This Sunday's High Noon showdown at St. James' Park against Enzo Maresca's Blues now looks crucial to Newcastle's hopes of a second Champions League qualification in three seasons.

The Magpies have a free week to prepare for that, while a shadow Chelsea side take a 4-1 first leg lead to Swedes Djurgaardens in their Europa Conference League Semi-final on Thursday.

Whether a change in the line-up beckons remains to be seen: Gordon showing positive signs on what was his fifth appearance from the bench since recovering from injury.

Biffa