Brighton secured a fourth consecutive home win against Bournemouth in a midweek clash at the Amex Stadium.
The home side took the lead following a customary João Pedro spot-kick. The Brazilian had won the penalty after he was tripped by a charging Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Bournemouth equalised in the second half following a wonderful strike from Justin Kluivert, who whipped an effort from 25-yards out into the top corner.
Brighton won all three points thanks to super-sub Danny Welbeck, who scored his first goal in 14 matches.
As it happened
As the race for European football intensifies, Brighton and Bournemouth contested a crucial battle on the south coast. The Seagulls entered the match in decent form following back-to-back victories against Chelsea and Southampton, during which they netted seven goals without conceding. Bournemouth, meanwhile, headed to the Amex stadium having not lost in seven away league games, but they were dealt a significant blow in their last Premier League outing as they lost 1-0 to a struggling Wolves side .
The hosts started strongly, as their dynamic attack caused Andoni Iraola’s side plenty of problems, particularly for Arrizabalaga. In the eighth minute, he failed to deal with Yankuba Minteh’s looped cross but got away with it, as Georginio Rutter failed to direct his header on target.
A minute later, Brighton came within inches of taking the lead. Diego Gómez, who made his first start since signing from Inter Miami, sent a lovely weighted pass in behind for Kaoru Mitoma. However, as Arrizabalaga came rushing out, Mitoma could only poke his effort past the post.
Fabian Hürzeler’s side were well on top and eventually found the lead in the 12th minute courtesy of a João Pedro penalty. The Brazilian had been wiped out by the Bournemouth goalkeeper, having been precisely found by Rutter in the box. He calmly slotted the penalty into the bottom left corner, scoring the sixth spot-kick of his Premier League career.
Embed from Getty ImagesBournemouth gradually grew into the game and threatened Brighton on the break on multiple occasions. Their best chance of the first half came in the 34th minute. Dango Ouattara’s ball in behind sent Antoine Semenyo racing through on goal, but his powerful strike flew straight into the legs of Bart Verbruggen. Brighton then raced up the other end and nearly doubled their lead, as Mitoma’s volleyed effort struck off the post from Tariq Lamptey’s pinpoint cross.
The momentum shifted completely in the second half as Bournemouth began to control and dominate possession. On the hour mark, a moment of brilliance from Kluivert gave the away side an equaliser for all their efforts. The Dutchman picked the ball up on the left wing, cut in and curled a stunning effort into the top right corner for his tenth away goal in eight matches.
Embed from Getty ImagesWith the game all square, both sides pushed for the vital winner. In the 75th Brighton retook the lead thanks to an inspired substitution. Minutes after coming on, Welbeck made an instant impact and netted what proved to be the winner. The striker had been found in the box after a brilliant turn and pass from Rutter; on his left foot Welbeck passed the ball inch perfectly past Arrizabalaga and into the net.
The win takes Brighton level on points with Bournemouth on 43 points, as The Seagulls extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to four matches. Bournemouth remain in the hunt for European qualification but will need to shake off two disappointing losses quickly. Both sides compete in the FA Cup fifth round this weekend, as Bournemouth host Wolves and Brighton travel to Newcastle.
The lineups
BRI: Verbruggen; Estupiñán, Webster, Van Hecke, Lamptey; Gómez, Baleba; Mitoma, Rutter, Minteh; Pedro
BOU: Arrizabalaga; Kerkez, Huijsen, Hill, Cook; Christie, Adams; Semenyo, Kluivert, Brooks; Ouattara