Back to winning ways
24 SEPTEMBER 2023 -
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 3 ( Kaoru Mitoma 2 2 , Milos Kerkez 1, own goal
AFC BOURNEMOUTH 1 ( Dominic Solanke 1) -
PREMIER LEAGUE -
at the AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY STADIUM, FALMER.
Looking to get back to winning ways following the disappointing 2-3 home defeat to AEK Athens in the UEFA Europa League on the 21 September, the Albion entertained AFC Bournemouth in the Premier at the Amex, the game being covered by BBC Radio Sussex port.
Albion Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi made no fewer than nine changes to his starting line-up from the AEK Athens game, with Bart Verbruggen, Joel Veltman, Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk, Mahmoud Dahoud, Facundo Buonanotte, Danny Welbeck, Simon Adringa and Evan Ferguson coming in for Jason Steele, James Milner, Jan Paul Van Hecke, Igor Julio, Pascal Gross, Solly March, Ansu Fati, Kaoru Mitoma and Joao Pedro.
Last time out the Cherries had earned a creditable 0-0 draw at home to Chelsea in the Premier on the 17 September and for their visit to the Amex new Head Coach Andoni Iraola made one change to his starting line-up from the Chelsea game, with Justin Kluivert replacing Dango Quattara.
In their meetings last season, the Seagulls did the double over the Cherries, with the Albion winning 1-0 at the Amex on the 4 February 2023, by virtue of a late Kaoru Mitoma goal (87m) and 2-0 at the Vitality Stadium on the 4 April 2023, with the goals coming from Evan Ferguson (28m) and Julio Enciso (90+1m).
Albion's line-up at the Amex on the 4February 2023 was (3-4-2-1):- Robert Sanchez; Joel Veltman, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Pervis Estupinan; Tariq Lamptey (Facundo Buonanotte 75), Pascal Gross, Billy Gilmour (Moises Caicedo 57), Kaoru Mitoma; Solly March (Adam Webster 89), Deniz Undav (Julio Enciso 75); Danny Welbeck (Jeremy Sarmiento 57).
Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K), Jan Paul Van Hecke, Odeluga Offiah, Andrew Moran.
Despite their nine changes, the Albion started sluggishly and it was no surprise when the visitors took the lead on 25 minutes as Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen saw his attempted clearance blocked by Ryan Christie, the ball broke to Dominic Solanke who coolly lobbed the ball into the vacant net for Cherries opener. 0-1.
A quiet opening half saw the Seagulls gifted an equaliser in time added on when Billy Gilmour's cross from the left was headedinto his own net by Cherries defender Milos Kerkez. 1-1. Albion could only get better second-half.
Half-time 1-1.
The Albion made two substitutions at the start of the second-half, with Kaoru Mitoma replacing Facundo Buonanotte and Ansu Fati replacing Evan Ferguson. Within seconds Mitoma delivered when a slick move involving Fati and Mahmoud Dahoud ended with the Japanese international netting with a soft right-foot shot. 2-1.
Both teams created and missed chances, Christie and substitute Antoine Semenyo for the Cherries and Lewis Dunk and Fati for the Albion. The Seagulls clinched the three points on 77 minutes when Pervis Estupinan's left-wing centre was headed home by the rampant Mitoma. 3-1.
Despite going further behind Bournemouth kept trying, with Dunk having to make a timely goal-line clearance to keep out a Solanke effort and keeper Verbruggen had to make a superb save to deny Semenyo. A hard-earned win for the Seagulls which saw them rise to third position in the Premier League table.
Final-score 3-1.
Match stats:
Albion had 13 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 12.
AFC Bournemouth had 12 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 17.
VERDICT - After a poor first-half, the Albion improved second-half, thanks to a brace from substitute Kaoru Mitoma.
The win saw the Seagulls move up to third place in the Premier and they will face a stern test when they visit Aston Villa in the Premier on the 30 September!
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart Verbruggen; Joel Veltman, Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Pervis Estupinan; Mahmoud Dahoud (Carlos Baleba 73), Billy Gilmour; Facundo Buonanotte (Kaoru MItoma 46), Danny Welbeck (Joao Pedro 63), Simon Adringa (Tariq Lamptey 87); Evan Ferguson (Ansu Fati 46).
Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K), Igor Julio, Solly March, Adam Lallana.
AFC Bournemouth line-up (4-2-3-1):- Neto; Max Aarons, Illia Zabarnyi, Lloyd Kelly (Marcos Senesi 83), Milos Kerkez; Lewis Cook, Philip Billing (David Brooks 82); Marcus Tavernier (Dango Quattara 64), Ryan Christie (Hamed Traore 82), Justin Kluivert (Antoine Semenyo 64); Dominic Solanke.
Subs not used: Andrei Radu (G/K), Joe Rothwell, Adam Smith, Luis Sinisterra.
Referee: John Brooks (Leicestershire). Assistant Referees: Simon Bennett, Akil Howson.
Fourth Official: Peter Bankes. VAR Official: MIchael Oliver. Assistant VAR Official: Dan Cook.
Yellow Cards:
Albion: 3 - Joel Veltman, Lewis Dunk, Billy Gilmour.
AFC Bournemouth: 3 - Illia Zabarnyi, Marcos Senesi, David Brooks.
Possession: Albion - 62%. AFC Bournemouth - 38%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Kaoru Mitoma (Albion).
Attendance: 31617.