Evan Ferguson hit his first career hat-trick as Brighton capped a memorable week by inflicting a third successive Premier League defeat on Newcastle with a thumping 3-1 success at the Amex Stadium.
Teenage striker Ferguson curled home a superb second from range to add to a simple first-half finish before completing his treble with the aid of a hefty deflection off Fabian Schar.
The 18-year-old’s heroics came a day after Albion were drawn to face Ajax, Marseille and AEK Athens in their maiden Europa League campaign.
Success for the Seagulls, who also pulled off a transfer coup on Friday by signing Ansu Fati on loan from Barcelona, was a third from four this season following last weekend’s loss to West Ham.
Newcastle were only beaten five times in the top flight during the whole of last term but were unable to halt their recent slide on the back of setbacks against Manchester City and Liverpool, despite Callum Wilson’s late consolation.
Striker Alexander Isak wasted two early opportunities before the Magpies were blown away to temper the excitement following their mouthwatering Champions League draw.
Eddie Howe’s men were on Thursday pitted against AC Milan, Paris St Germain and Borussia Dortmund in European football’s premier competition, while Brighton’s maiden continental campaign will also include heavyweight opposition.
Newcastle began brighter from an attacking perspective and Isak twice threatened during a shaky start from the Seagulls.
The Sweden striker was denied inside 55 seconds by Jan Paul van Hecke’s last-ditch tackle following Bruno Guimaraes’ fine through ball before shinning wastefully wide after Pervis Estupinan’s poor clearance led to Sandro Tonali cutting the ball back from the right.
Brighton, who paraded 20-year-old Spain forward Fati and fellow new signing Carlos Baleba ahead of kick-off, were dominating possession.
Yet Roberto De Zerbi’s hosts again escaped in the 16th minute when Miguel Almiron’s low cross from the right deflected off Lewis Dunk and was turned behind by goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
Newcastle were then punished for mistakes of their own 11 minutes later.
Rushed clearances from keeper Nick Pope and midfielder Tonali led to the former spilling Billy Gilmour’s stinging effort and Ferguson was on hand to slot home the rebound.
With his team still awaiting their first attempt on target, Howe brought on England striker Wilson as part of a triple substitution in the 58th minute.
Isak’s pace remained a constant concern for the hosts but they soon secured breathing space courtesy of Ferguson’s magic.
The Republic of Ireland international was afforded time and space deep inside Newcastle’s half and duly dispatched a fine curling effort into the bottom right corner from distance.
Anthony Gordon wasted a golden opportunity to halve Newcastle’s deficit by sidefooting wide before Brighton put the result beyond doubt.
Ferguson, who made his professional debut for Irish club Bohemians aged just 14, again took aim from outside the box, only this time his bending effort benefited from a significant flick of Schar to fly beyond the stranded Pope.
The match-winner was withdrawn to a standing ovation nine minutes from time after making it 10 Premier League goal in just 12 starts.
In spite of the scoreline, Newcastle’s sold-out following continued to vocally back their side.
They were given scant reward on a punishing evening two minutes into added time when substitute Wilson burst forward and escaped Van Hecke to poke home.
The Numbers Game: Expect goals as Turkiye aim to upset the odds against the Dutch
The fourth quarter-final at Euro 2024 sees the Netherlands take on Turkiye in what promises to be a thriller in Berlin.
Ronald Koeman's Oranje team clicked into gear in the last 16 as they dispatched Romania 3-0.
Turkiye, meanwhile, beat Austria 2-1 in a thriller, with goalkeeper Mert Gunok making the save of the tournament so far to ensure Vincenzo Montella's team avoided extra time.
If recent meetings between these nations are anything to go by, then anticipate plenty of excitement in Saturday's clash.
That being said, with a place in the last four, and a tie with either Switzerland or England up for grabs, there is plenty on the line.
Here, we use Opta data to preview the clash.
What's expected?
Turkiye dumped out one of the group stage's most impressive teams when they sent Austria packing on Tuesday, but it is the Netherlands who are made favourites by Opta's supercomputer.
The Dutch are given a 58.1% chance of success at the Olympiastadion, while Turkiye's chances are rated at a rather slimmer 19.7%. The likelihood of a draw is 22.5%.
This will be the 15th international meeting between Netherlands and Turkiye.
The Oranje have won six of the previous 14, with Turkiye winning four and the others finishing level. However, this tie is the first fixture between these teams to come at a major tournament.
The last two matches between the Netherlands and Turkiye have seen a combined 13 goals (6.5 per game), with Turkiye winning 4-2 in March 2021 and the Netherlands winning 6-1 in September 2021, both in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.
And the data from this tournament also suggests we should expect goals. These sides rank in the top eight teams in the tournament for expected goals (xG), with the Netherlands (6.56) coming in at sixth, and Turkiye (6.11) in eighth.
The Netherlands have had the fifth-most shots (63), while Turkiye have had the sixth-most (57).
Both these teams like to attack, but in defence, the Dutch clearly have the edge, and in fairness, that should be expected with the likes of Stefan de Vrij, Nathan Ake and Virgil van Dijk.
Koeman's team have recorded 3.84 expected goals against (xGA) across their four matches, in contrast to Turkiye's figure of 8.0. Indeed, of the teams remaining in the competition, Turkiye have conceded the most shots (59).
History unkind for the Dutch
The Oranje have progressed from five of their last seven major tournament quarter-finals, although one of the two exceptions was their most recent such tie, when they lost in a penalty shoot-out to Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.
This is the Netherlands' first European Championship quarter-final since 2008, when they lost 3-1 to Russia.
And while they are favourites, history has not been wholly kind to them.
The Netherlands have only progressed from three of their last nine knockout ties at the European Championships.
They are looking to win two knockout ties in a single edition of the finals for only the second time, after 1988, when they won the competition.
Koeman will want his team to replicate the level of control they showed against Romania, and midfielder Tijjani Reijnders was crucial to that.
Coming into the quarter-finals, only Joshua Kimmich (14) and Kevin De Bruyne (11) have made more passes that have broken the opposition's defensive line at Euro 2024 than Reijnders (10), who made five against Romania.
Or will it be Turkish delight?
Turkiye are looking to win three consecutive matches at the European Championships for the first time, and only the second time at major tournaments overall, after doing so at the 2002 World Cup to reach the semi-finals.
This is the fourth major tournament quarter-final they have reached, after Euro 2000, the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2008.
They reached the semi-final of the latter two of those, after losing 2-0 to Portugal in 2000.
However, if they are to upset the odds on Saturday, then they will need to keep their heads.
Turkiye have received 18 yellow cards at Euro 2024. In European Championship history, only Czechia in 1996 have been given more cards at a single edition (20 – 19 yellows, one red).
Montella's team have picked up at least two cards in each of their last 24 matches at major tournaments, so that indiscipline is something the Dutch could use to their advantage.
Set-pieces could be crucial for Turkiye, who scored both of their goals from corners in the win over Austria.
That being said, they also conceded from a corner, making that the first match on record (since 1980) at the European Championships to see as many as three goals come via such set-piece situations.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Netherlands - Cody Gakpo
Gakpo's brilliant strike got the ball rolling for the Oranje against Romania, taking him onto three goals for the tournament.
Across the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024, the only European player with more goals than Gakpo (six) is Kylian Mbappe (nine).
All six of Gakpo's strikes have come in different matches; the only Dutch players to score in more different games at major tournaments are Dennis Bergkamp (10), Robin van Persie (eight), and Wesley Sneijder (seven).
Turkiye - Arda Guler
Real Madrid youngster Guler has proven his superstar potential in Germany, assisting Merih Demiral's winner.
With that assist, Guler is one of only three teenagers to both score and set up a goal at a single Euros, after Wayne Rooney (four goals, one assist) and Cristiano Ronaldo (two goals, two assists) at Euro 2004.
Turkiye have given six starts to teenagers at Euro 2024 – three for Kenan Yildiz and three for Guler – a joint record in a single edition of the finals, along with Spain at Euro 2020 (six, all for Pedri).
Raya makes Arsenal move permanent after successful loan spell
David Raya has joined Arsenal on a permanent basis after spending a successful season on loan from Brentford in 2023-24.
Raya joined Arsenal on a season-long loan deal last year, with the Gunners paying a £3million loan fee and agreeing a £27m option to make the move permanent.
He edged out Aaron Ramsdale to earn a starting spot and kept 16 clean sheets as Mikel Arteta's team finished as Premier League runners-up, winning the competition's Golden Glove award.
Everton's Jordan Pickford (13) was the only other goalkeeper to keep more than 10 clean sheets in the competition.
Raya did, however, concede 24 goals from 20.93 expected goals on target (xGoT) faced.
Having put pen to paper on a long-term contract, the Spaniard told Arsenal's website: "After a year on loan as a Gunner, I can finally say that I’m an Arsenal player for the coming years.
"I'm excited to see what the future holds but always living in and enjoying the present.
"It's a dream come true to be here and I want to thank you for all the support you have already given me throughout the last year."
England v Switzerland: Southgate expecting better on landmark Three Lions outing
Gareth Southgate expects a tough encounter against Switzerland but knows England must be better to secure progression to the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
Southgate will celebrate his 100th game in charge of the Three Lions in Dusseldorf, hopeful of marking the milestone with not only a win, but an improved performance.
Southgate may not have overseen his landmark fixture if it wasn't for Jude Bellingham's late intervention to send the game to extra-time against Slovakia.
Bellingham scored England's latest ever goal in normal time at a major tournament in some style, turning home Marc Guehi's header with a stunning bicycle kick.
Harry Kane headed England over the line just 50 seconds into extra-time, reaching a tournament quarter-final for a fourth time under Southgate's stewardship.
"I can imagine how everybody's going to react to that even though we've won, but we're still in there," Southgate said.
"We want to be better, I'm not going to hide from that. But the spirit and the character was there for everybody to see."
Switzerland, however, have been one of the standout sides at the tournament thus far, knocking out Euro 2020 winners Italy in the quarter-finals.
Despite England's favourable record against the Swiss, Southgate insists his side will face a different challenge in Dusseldorf.
"I think the game against the Swiss will throw completely different tactical problems, just as difficult, just as complex," Southgate said. "A different solution to solve."
For Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin, he is confident of causing an upset to set up a clash with the Netherlands or Turkiye in the semi-finals.
A key feature of Switzerland's style of play has been their intensity in the press, something Yakin believes can disrupt England.
"When we put on our pressing, we won't let them play. That's our job," Yakin said.
"We played well against Germany, we played well against Italy, so why shouldn't we beat England?
"We're in a good mood now. Let's see, it's a good challenge and my team is ready to have this big fight against England."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
England - Kieran Trippier
Much has been made of Kieran Trippier's poor performances at Euro 2024 so far, but he has proven to be a reliable attacking outlet for Southgate through the years.
The Three Lions are set to revert to a back three, a shape that brought them so much success at previous tournaments and could unlock Trippier's attacking potential.
Tripppier has created more chances (seven) and made more line-breaking passes behind the defensive line (six) than any other England player at the tournament so far.
Switzerland - Granit Xhaka
A familiar face to many within the England camp, Granit Xhaka will be given the task of halting the influence of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.
But the former Arsenal midfielder has added an extra element to his game, often offering a threat in the more advanced areas for Switzerland.
Xhaka has created more chances (eight), completed more passes (254) and made more line-breaking passes (51) than any other Switzerland player so far at Euro 2024.
MATCH PREDICTION: ENGLAND WIN
Despite the nature of their victory over Slovakia, England are still predicted as favourites to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2024, winning 44.9% of pre-match simulations in Opta's data-led predictions.
The Three Lions have lost just one of their last 24 meetings with Switzerland in all competitions (17 wins, six draws), and are unbeaten in 13 (nine wins, four draws), which perhaps contributes to their favourable win probability.
This will be the fourth meeting between England and Switzerland at a major tournament, their third at the European Championships (two wins, one draw previously).
However, Switzerland have built new-found belief at these European Championships and will have confidence of causing an upset.
Yakin's side have lost just one of their last 14 in the competition (five wins, eight draws), having endured a run of six losses in eight matches (two draws) at the tournament beforehand.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
England - 44.9%
Draw - 29%
Switzerland - 26%
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