Brighton edge past Bournemouth in thrilling 2-1 win

Brighton edge past Bournemouth in thrilling 2-1 win! Brighton & Hove Albion secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bournemouth, continuing their impressive start to the Premier League season.

Goals from Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma ensured the Seagulls took home all three points despite playing the final 30 minutes with 10 men.

Pedro and Mitoma Shine for Brighton

Joao Pedro opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a composed tap-in after Georginio Rutter’s edge-of-the-box strike was parried by Bournemouth goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The Brazilian forward, returning to full fitness after an ankle injury, demonstrated his value as Brighton’s attacking linchpin.

Pedro’s influence extended into the second half when he set up Kaoru Mitoma for Brighton’s second goal. The Japanese international latched onto Pedro’s perfectly weighted pass and fired a clinical shot across Arrizabalaga into the bottom corner, doubling Brighton’s advantage.

The duo’s brilliance proved decisive in a match where Brighton showed flashes of creativity but had to dig deep to secure the result, especially after Carlos Baleba’s red card.

Brighton’s Resilience Tested by Baleba’s Red Card

Brighton’s job became significantly harder in the 61st minute when Carlos Baleba received his marching orders for a late challenge on Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez. Referee Stuart Attwell showed Baleba a second yellow card, leaving Brighton with 10 men for the remainder of the game.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Brighton defended resolutely. Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and the backline absorbed intense pressure from Bournemouth, particularly in the closing stages.

Substitute David Brooks pulled one back for Bournemouth in injury time, slotting home from close range. The home side pushed for an equalizer, with Antoine Semenyo hitting the crossbar with the game’s final kick, but Brighton held firm.

Bournemouth’s Missed Opportunities

Bournemouth responded well after conceding early, creating numerous chances to get back into the game. Marcus Tavernier and Antoine Semenyo tested Verbruggen with long-range efforts, while record signing Evanilson struggled to capitalize on key moments.

Evanilson had an opportunity to level the score in the first half but chose an angled shot that Verbruggen saved easily. His celebration was also cut short when a VAR check ruled him offside before finding the net just before halftime.

Despite having a one-man advantage for the final 30 minutes, Bournemouth could not capitalize. Their inefficiency in front of goal was evident as only five of their 19 shots were on target.

Brighton’s Flying Start to the Season

The victory moves Brighton to fifth place in the Premier League standings, level on points with Chelsea and Arsenal after 12 games. Roberto De Zerbi’s side continues to impress, showcasing both attacking flair and defensive grit.

Joao Pedro’s return to form has bolstered Brighton’s attack. The forward, who missed six league matches before his comeback, has made an immediate impact with crucial contributions in consecutive games.

Bournemouth’s Struggles Continue

For Bournemouth, the defeat marked their second consecutive loss following their 3-2 setback against Brentford before the international break. They now sit in 13th place, and manager Andoni Iraola faces mounting pressure to address their lack of cutting edge in attack.

Antoine Semenyo, who was one of Bournemouth’s brighter players, will miss the Cherries’ next match against Wolves after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.

What’s Next?

Brighton will aim to maintain their momentum as they continue their push for European football next season. Meanwhile, Bournemouth will look to regroup and improve their efficiency in the final third to climb out of the lower half of the table.

This match highlighted Brighton’s ability to win under challenging circumstances and Bournemouth’s need to turn promising performances into results.