A LATE STRIKE from Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish handed Newcastle the Championship title in a dramatic twist in the final moments of the season.
Chris Hughton’s Brighton travelled to Villa Park with promotion already secured and their destiny in their own hands, knowing that three points would be enough to win them the league, regardless of how Newcastle fared at home to Barnsley.
It all looked to be plain sailing for the Seagulls when Glenn Murray put them in front from the penalty spot in the 64th minute, with Villa also reduced to 10 men by Nathan Baker’s sending off.
But Grealish struck to equalise in the 89th minute, his 25-yard effort slipping underneath the body of Brighton keeper David Stockdale.
That cruel blow meant Brighton had to settle for a 1-1 draw, enough to hand Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle the title at their expense after they ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at home to Barnsley thanks to goals from Ayoze Perez, Chancel Mbemba and Dwight Gayle.
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