Chris Hughton has told his players to dig deep and look for confidence going into next Sunday’s title-deciding final round of Championship games.
Newcastle United now have an unexpected chance of winning the title just two weeks after falling seven points behind Brighton at the top.
Consecutive defeats for the Seagulls against Norwich and then Bristol City, coupled with wins for Newcastle against Preston and Cardiff, mean the season could end with United being crowned champions.
The stage had been set for Brighton to be presented with the league winners trophy on their own ground.
Opera singers had also been hired by the south coast club to mark the occasion, only for the night to turn sour when Josh Brownhill silenced the Amex Stadium crowd with a strike that would prove to be the winner.
After the game, Hughton said: “It was a wonderful achievement to get promoted with three games to go, but we want to finish top.
“We have to be confident.”
Hughton also spoke about the morale of his players.
He added: “The preparation was good, and it was a really good opportunity to win.
“We had a lot of the ball, but Bristol City defended very well, particularly their two centre-halves.
“We didn’t have that bit of quality as we have in other games.
“We lacked that edge.
“Bristol City had not lost in four games, and you have to give them credit.”
And looking towards next Sunday, when Brighton travel to Aston Villa and Newcastle face Barnsley at home, Hughton said: “The Villa game will be as tough as the Norwich one was.
“But we have been better away from home than last season, and if we play to our levels we have a chance.”