Feb 28, 2017 at 7.45pm UK at ​Falmer Stadium
Murray (14' pen.)
Knockaert (38'), Duffy (58'), Murray (92')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Diame (81'), Perez (89')
Yedlin (37')

Team News: Yoan Gouffran leads Newcastle United attack in top-of-the-table clash

Yoan Gouffran of Newcastle United in action during the Capital One Cup Second Round between Newcastle United and Northampton Town at St James' Park on August 25, 2015 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
© Getty Images
Yoan Gouffran spearheads the Newcastle United attack for their top-of-the-table clash with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Newcastle United have made two changes to their starting XI for tonight's top-of-the-table clash with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Magpies boss Rafael Benitez has opted for a 4-4-2 formation, with Yoan Gouffran leading the attack and Mohamed Diame coming into the side to provide support up front.

Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez are the ones to make way, both dropping to the bench, while top goalscorer Dwight Gayle remains sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Hosts Brighton have stuck with the same starting lineup which saw off Reading 3-0 last weekend, with Sam Baldock and Glenn Murray up front.

Left-back Sebastien Pocognoli was passed fit to start after overcoming a knock that he sustained in the win over the Royals.

Brighton & Hove Albion: Stockdale; Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Pocognoli; Knockaert, Stephens, Sidwell, Murphy; Baldock, Murray
Subs: Walton, Huenemeier, Tomori, Kayal, March, Hemed, Akpom

Newcastle United: Darlow; Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett; Ritchie, Shelvey, Colback, Atsu; Diame, Gouffran
Subs: Elliot, Hanley, Anita, Gamez, Perez, Murphy, Mitrovic

Follow the match live with Sports Mole's text commentary here.

Dwight Gayle in action for Newcastle United on September 24, 2016
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4Reading40227115550573
5Leeds UnitedLeeds402161352391369
6Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds401991251401166
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9Derby CountyDerby401611134640659
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11Aston Villa401512134239357
12Brentford40168166457756
13Barnsley401411155656053
14Cardiff CityCardiff401410165457-352
15Wolverhampton WanderersWolves39149165049151
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17Ipswich TownIpswich401116134248-649
18Birmingham CityBirmingham401113164058-1846
19Burton Albion401111184054-1444
20Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest40119205466-1242
21Bristol City40118215060-1041
22Blackburn RoversBlackburn40913184761-1440
23Wigan AthleticWigan40810223249-1734
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