NEWCASTLE 0 BRIGHTON 1
Dubravka, Yedlin, Lascelles, Fernandez, Dummett, Ritchie, Shelvey, Diamé, Kenedy, Pérez, Muto (Joselu 74)
Subs: Schär, Murphy, Hayden, Manquillo, Darlow, Atsu
Rafael Benitez said turning around Newcastle's fortunes will be the toughest challenge of his career after slipping to the bottom of the Premier League following defeat by Brighton.
The Magpies remain winless after a fifth straight home loss thanks to Brighton's Beram Kayal, who deflected in Jose Izquierdo's strike in the 29th minute.
The Seagulls lost leading scorer Glenn Murray, who was taken off after a sickening aerial collision in the ninth minute.
Brighton boss Chris Hughton later stated that the forward had been concussed but would leave hospital after having precautionary scans.
But it did not put the visitors off their stride in a match where they spent most of the time defending.
Benitez said the Magpies needed to be "more precise and clinical" after producing 27 shots on goal, with only six on target.
Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey went closest to scoring - first with a strike that was superbly blocked by Mat Ryan, then with a free-kick saved by the Australian with the help from his wall.
And despite saying he was confident he could turn things around, when asked if the current situation is the toughest he has faced, the Spaniard said: "Yes, at the moment, yes.
"I have had a lot of situations, but at the moment, obviously it's a difficult task."