“It doesn’t matter about the performance, it is about results and we know that,” said Howe. “We have come from a long way back and we knew draws were not going to be enough. We had to win games and that is what we have been able to do.

“It’s nice to be on this run, it’s nice to know we are near the top of the form table, but my mindset does not change. We are still in a relegation battle still, nothing changes, we have to stay incredibly grounded.”

Brighton were, or at least looked, the better side. They had more of the ball, spent more time in and around the opposition box, applied more pressure and picked holes in the Newcastle defence and midfield, but they were two goals down at half time, cut apart on the counter and punished at a set piece in the space of two disastrous minutes.

Newcastle should have taken a very early lead when Joe Willock did brilliantly with a surging run down the right flank. His deep cross fell perfectly for Fraser to hit but he put it straight at goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Brighton took control after that, but when Duffy missed a free header, two yards out, Newcastle punished them.

Newcastle took the lead on the break, Chris Wood turning away from Lewis Dunk deep inside his own half and suddenly Brighton were exposed. 

Murphy’s pace was key, as he galloped ahead of Marc Cucurella and was played in by a great pass from Wood. The winger’s lifted shot came back off the post but fell perfectly for Fraser to smash in the rebound.

The noise inside the stadium made the air vibrate and Brighton were shaken up, conceding a second when Danny Welbeck switched off and Schar made a simple run to the near post to glance in Fraser’s free kick. 

Newcastle were a little complacent after that and eventually sloppy. Brighton continued to dominate possession and with the hosts sitting too deep and unable to keep hold of the ball, they were duly punished when Duffy was left unmarked again at a corner and this time converted from close range.

The visitors kept coming, kept knocking and kept pushing forward in search of the equaliser, but Newcastle just about held on.

“It is a bad run of form, there is no denying that,” said Potter. “There are lots of positives to take from the performance but we are struggling to get the results we would like. We had a great start to the season but that is what can happen in this league.”