Ayoze Perez was the hero against Brighton & Hove Albion last night as the Spaniard came off the bench to net a late winner against Newcastle United's title rivals, giving the Magpies a huge boost in the quest for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Rafael Benitez' side trailed for the majority of the match following a Glenn Murray penalty in the first-half but launched a valiant late response, with Mohamed Diame equalising with a freak goal before Perez pounced to seal all three points.

Following the crucial victory, Perez spoke to NUFC TV and dubbed his latest effort the most important goal of his spell on Tyneside so far, as he said:

"It was a massive win for us. In the first-half they started a bit better than us, they're playing at home in a big game, but the way that we finished the first-half we knew that we could come back in the game and turn it over and that's what we did."

"We had a lot of chances before I scored. We couldn't finish it but I knew that I had to be really focused. The game was up and down, a good intensity, but we could win it. I always try to watch the little details that can make the difference. Even warming up I try to be involved in the game as you might have the chance to get involved."

"Yeah (it was one of the biggest goals I've scored) because of the importance. It's a great goal in an important minute and it means a lot to us."

Newcastle now sit top of the Championship with a two-point advantage over Brighton but know there is still a lot of work to be done, as the clash with third-placed Huddersfield Town this weekend before clashes with Reading, Fulham and Birmingham City throughout March.

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