Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez recalled Jonjo Shelvey to the starting XI for the away trip to Brighton.
This was Shelvey’s first outing in the Premier League from the beginning since November.
Benitez had stated before the game that something had to change in his line-up.
Ki was the man who dropped to the bench as Christian Atsu was also recalled due to Miguel Almiron’s injury.
And Federicio Fernandez started at the back in place of Jamaal Lascelles.
DeAndre Yedlin continued his absence as Javier Manquillo stayed in the team while Antonio Barreca also made it on to the bench.
Before the game Benitez said: “It is a massive game for them.
“That is obvious.
“But we will have to do things as we did before, we have to approach the game with confidence and without pressure.
“We have to go the way we want to and play the game.
“At the same time, there are lots of clubs around that have interest in what is going on so we have to be professional.
“It is a game we want to win.”
UNITED : Dubravka, Manquillo, Schar, Fernandez, Dummett, Ritchie, Hayden, Shelvey, Atsu, Perez, Rondon.
Subs: Darlow, Sung-yueng, Diame, Muto, Kenedy, Yedlin, Barreca.
