Albion 0 Newcastle 0

Albion have secured safety in this marathon of a Premier League season.

And they ultimately ended any lingering doubts with a game to go.

The team who many thought looked in peril when action was halted for 15 weeks can go to Turf Moor for the final fixture with no concerns.

This goalless draw in the evening sunshine ensured that.

The Seagulls secured safety on May 4 in each of the last two seasons.

It was rather later in the year in this unique campaign but they got there all the same.

They still don't win often enough but this draw was their seventh in the last 13 games.

Those single points have been precious in backing up two victories in 2020.

Adam Webster was passed fit to start this match which, in the end, nudged them over the finish line.

The centre-back suffered a whack to the hip as he helped protect another of those valuable single points, at Southampton on Thursday.

There was a call to the bench for under-23s left-back Alex Cochrane, a prospect Portsmouth are keen to take on loan next season.

Albion knew a draw or win would confirm their place in the Premier League next season.

They were confident, compact and patient in the first half, without offering much of a cutting edge.

Neal Maupay sent a shot into the side-netting from a very early corner, although the offside flag was up.

A Lewis Dunk header from a set-piece was not really any problem for Martin Dubravka moving to his right.

But Albion had the best effort of the first quarter.

Leandro Trossard just about kept the ball in on the left as Newcastle players looked for a flag and found Pascal Gross, whose low drive flashed across goal and wide of the far post.

Dunk, who was still up there after a corner, almost got a touch.

The skipper then looked at Gross, perhaps asking why he was not picked out.

Yves Bissouma and Gross picked up yellows in quick succession and were soon joined in the book by Matt Ritchie, who caught Tariq Lamptey late.

A Newcastle error almost helped Albion open the scoring at home for the first time in seven matches, since Trossard gave them the advantage against Aston Villa.

It was Trossard at the sharp end again here, after Maupay nipped in to take possession as Ritchie miskicked in his own box.

Dubravka was alive to the Belgian’s low effort at his near post and turned it wide.

It was debatable whether Ritchie impeded Maupay as he got away but there were no appeals from the hosts.

That was rare involvement for the Slovak goalkeeper, who has been so impressive between the sticks for Toon.

The Argus:

Albion looked the more progressive team for most of the first half and piled up the passes.

But things were tending to break down before they could pick a way through and get into a position to try and test him.

Newcastle might even have pinched a lead in added time as they ended the half well.

Albion struggled to scramble clear a cross by Allan Saint-Maximin.

And Dwight Gayle’s perfectly timed run saw him get in front of Dale Stephens and head narrowly over as a corner was delivered to the near post.

Newcastle started the second half as they ended the first and Maty Ryan soon had to keep Albion on level terms.

He was agile and alert low to his left to tip away a Miguel Almiron flick.

Ritchie had dispossessed Stephens as he looked to run the ball away down the Albion left and then sent in a low cross which found Almiron.

Stephens had been booked by then for clipping Gayle’s heels as Toon looked to counter attack.

The chance was there for someone on either side to grab the glory as the minutes drited past.

A shuddering and important challenge by Emil Krafth on Maupay as Albion got the ball into the Newcastle box hurt both men, Krafth in particular.

But they were able to carry on.

The changes started to come, with Glenn Murray, Solly March, Davy Propper and Alexis Mac Allister all going on for Albion across two stoppages.

But the breakthrough almost arrived from a surprising source as Webster let fly from outside the box.

The ball was swerving in flight but Dubravka reacted to tip over.

He should have been left with no chance soon after but Trossard sent his volley from a Dunk header down over the bar from in front of goal. The Belgian just could not get over the ball.

The Argus:

Albion, though, were grateful there was a worse miss at the other end late on as sub Andy Carroll rose to meet a far post corner but headed wide from close range.

The hosts, with Shane Duffy now on, had to stand strong at the end. Dan Burn deflected a Shelvey shot behind and they defended a pair of corners.

There should have been a third in that flurry.

Duffy did well to get his own head to Carroll's header and divert the ball over.

But referee Simon Hooper awarded a goal kick and the danger was over.

Job done.

Albion: Ryan; Lamptey (Duffy 86), Webster, Dunk, Burn; Stephens, Bissouma (Propper 73), Mooy (March 58); Gross (Mac Allister 58), Trossard, Maupay (Murray 73). Subs not used: Button, Montoya, Cochrane, Connolly.

Goals: None.

Yellow card: Bissouma (23) foul, Gross (26) dangerous play, Stephens (46) foul, Webster (88) foul.

Newcastle: Dubravka; Manquillo, Krafth, Fernandez, Rose; Saint-Maximin (Joelinton 74), Shelvey, Bentaleb, Ritchie; Almiron (Lazaro 86); Gayle (Carroll 74). Subs not used: Darlow, Watts, M.Longstaff, Atsu, Muto.

Goals: None.

Yellow card: Ritchie (31) foul, Rose (63) foul.

Referee: Simon Hooper.

VAR: Kevin Friend.