DANNY WELBECK was stretchered off in worrying scenes after suffering a back injury at Newcastle.<br /><br />The Brighton striker required oxygen after falling to the turf, having earlier hit the only goal of Saturday's 1-0 win.<br /><br />The Seagulls later posted a reassuring update on X - from their flight back down south.<br /><br />Brighton posted: "Dat guy’s a bit bruised and battered, but the good news is our match-winner at St James’ Park, @DannyWelbeck, is on our @British_Airways flight home."<br /><br />The ex-Manchester United star slotted the 35th-minute clincher after a deft one-two with Georginio Rutter.<br /><br />That lifted the Seagulls to fifth place overnight with back-to-back Prem victories.<br /><br />But his day was cut short after a painful incident in the 77th minute.<br /><br />The former Arsenal star fell to the floor following an innocuous coming together with Toon center-back Fabian Schar.<br /><br />He appeared to tweak something in his back, hitting the deck before immediately calling for medical staff.<br /><br />Welbeck required oxygen as he was stretchered from the field, before being replaced by Jan Paul van Hecke.<br /><br />He received a standing ovation from both fans as he was carried off.<br /><br />After the game, his Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler said: "Hopefully it's not that bad but we can't be sure. Let's wait for the results of the scans.<br /><br />“I don't judge him just by goals and assists, honestly for me it's more about how he works for the team.<br /><br />“He's the perfect role model and you can only do it every week when you behave professionally.”<br /><br />Brighton captain Lewis Dunk added: “I'm gutted to see him go off, he's been in top, top form this season. He was ruthless scoring his goal.<br /><br />“He's one of the top professionals at this football club and a great key to our success. He helps everyone, young and old. Hopefully, his injury is not too bad and we'll have him fighting to get fit.”<br /><br />The 33-year-old has been enjoying a stunning start to the new campaign.<br /><br />Welbeck has already netted as many goals in the league this season as he managed in the entirety of last term.<br /><br />After his strike on Saturday, he now has five - as many as he managed across 29 league games in 2023-24.<br /><br />In the form of his life, the ex-England ace showed off his finishing with Brighton's first shot of the game.<br /><br />He chested down Lewis Dunk’s long free-kick forward, playing a one-two with Georginio Rutter, before holding off Tino Livramento and poking home.<br /><br />It proved to be a frustrating afternoon on home soil for Toon, who lost for the first time at St James' Park since January.<br /><br />Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak both came close to snatching a point for Eddie Howe's men.<br /><br />But heroics from Brighton's stopper Bart Verbruggen saw the points head back to the South Coast.
