Fabian Hurzeler admitted he almost substituted a game-winner.

Danny Welbeck secured Brighton’s victory with a crucial late goal against Newcastle United, despite the manager considering replacing him moments earlier.

“I need to be truthful: I had thoughts of taking him off before he netted his second,” Hurzeler said after Brighton’s 2-1 success at the Amex Stadium. “He caught me off-guard. Timing is key in life, and yesterday was an instance of perfect timing.”

Welbeck, approaching his 35th birthday, continues to excel on the field, demonstrating that age isn’t diminishing his prowess. His goal-scoring record in his thirties (0.36 goals per game) surpasses that of both his teenage and twenties years.

Having recently posted his best goal tally in the Premier League already last season, Welbeck managed another remarkable feat with two goals against both Newcastle and Chelsea within a short span.

“My love for the game is unyielding,” he expressed to Match of the Day. “I feel strong, fit, and ready to continue this journey.”

It’s little surprise that Welbeck was named Player of the Match.

He commenced the scoring with a precise shot over Nick Pope and later added his second during a tense finish.

As Newcastle sought to secure a winner following Nick Woltemade’s superb equalizer, the experienced striker was perfectly positioned to slot the ball home from the edge of the box after Mats Wieffer’s attempt was thwarted.

“There’s always a chance the ball might come your way,” Welbeck remarked. “I hoped it would and it did.”

Remarkably, eleven of his last twelve Premier League goals have significantly impacted the scoreboard, with eight providing leads and three leveling matches. This latest strike marked his fifth winning goal against a Newcastle team that boasted a top-tier defensive reputation before the matchup.

Newcastle is all too familiar with Welbeck’s capability to score decisive goals.

He previously netted the winner during their last league encounter last October and played a pivotal role in eliminating Coach Eddie Howe’s squad from the FA Cup last March.

Howe acknowledged Welbeck’s outstanding performance, noting particularly the finesse displayed on his first goal.

“We must commend him for the two goals today, especially the first. Escaping our defense and composing himself to finish past Nick is no easy task,” Howe stated.

“His continued high-level performance is commendable.”

So, what’s the secret behind Welbeck’s success?

Once troubled by injuries, he has adapted remarkably to the rigors of Hurzeler’s strategy. Brighton’s pressing style requires forwards to be relentless without the ball—something he excels at, as shown by his impressive recovery runs against Newcastle.

“He’s a model professional,” Hurzeler said. “He’s always striving to improve before and after training. He gives full effort in every session. His dedication and ability to lead by example define Danny Welbeck.”