Bournemouth v Brighton & Hove Albion
28 APRIL 2024 -
AFC BOURNEMOUTH 3 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the VITALITY STADIUM, BOURNEMOUTH.
Out of form Albion were on their travels again, this time journeying west along the coast to meet AFC Bournemouth in the Premier at the Vitality Stadium, the match being covered by BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Following the 0-4 home defeat to Manchester City on the 25 April, Albion Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi made seven changes to his starting line-up from that game, with Bart Verbruggen, Odeluga Offiah, Igor Julio, Billy Gilmour, Facundo Buonanotte, Simon Adingra and Mark O'Mahony coming in for Jason Steele, Joel Veltman, Jan Paul Van Hecke, Carlos Baleba, Jakub Moder, Adam Lallana and Danny Welbeck.
Youngsters Odeluga Offiah and Mark O'Mahony were making their first Premier League starts for the Albion.
Last time out the Cherries won 1-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier on the 24 April and for Albion's visit Head Coach Andoni Iraola made three changes to his starting line-up from that game, with Lloyd Kelly, Dango Quattara and Enes Unal replacing Illia Zabarnyi (unfit), Milos Kerkez (suspended) and Ryan Christie.
Earlier this season, in the reverse fixture at the Amex on the 24 September 2023, the Seagulls won 3-1, with their goals coming from Kaoru Mitoma 2 (46m & 77m) and Milos Kerkez (45+2, own goal) after Dominic Solanke (25m) had put the Cherries ahead.
With both teams beset by lengthy unavailability lists it was a case of survival of the fittest on this one Albion's recent form had been indifferent of late, winless in five and things started to unravel on 13 minutes as the hosts took the lead from a corner as Getafe loanee Enes Unal outjumped Mark O'Mahony to head the ball across goal to Marcos Senesi who nodded the ball home from close-in. Not the start Seagulls had hoped for. 0-1.
An excellent run by Facundo Buonanotte from the right ended with Cherries goalkeeper Mark Travers plunging at the midfielder's feet to smother the ball just as the young Argentinian was about to pull the trigger. Prior to the break the Cherries should have increased their lead when Alex Scott set-up Unal who pulled his shot wide when he should have done better.
Half-time 0-1.
Mahony's first Premier start ended at the beginning of the second-half when Danny Welbeck was brought on in his place. Things got worse for the Seagulls on 52 minutes when slack defensive play permitted Dango Quattara to send a cross into the box where the unmarked Unal sent a header past the exposed Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen into the goal. 0-2.
The Albion then awoke from their slumber, Simon Adingra having a shot tipped over the bar by keeper Travers and substitute Julio Enciso twice going close with efforts which just missed the target.
The Cherries clinched the game on 87 minutes when Justin Kluivert was given the freedom of the park by the Albion defence which enabled the striker to run through and smash a right-foot shot past the helpless Verbruggen. 0-3. A bad day at the office for the hapless.
Seagulls, who are now winless in six.
Final-score 0-3.
Match stats:
Albion had 13 attempts at goal, with 1 on target and won 2 corners, free-kicks conceded - 10.
AFC Bournemouth had 15 attempts at goal, with 6 on target and won 8 corners, free-kicks conceded - 14.
TO SUM UP -
Despite the seven changes, the Albion gave another lack-lustre performance at the Vitality. The winless run was extended to six and afterwards Roberto De Zerbi inter alia said "the team must play better", which was a bit of an under-statement. Aston Villa pitch-up next at the Amex on the 5 May and Albion should be looking to avenge the 1-6 defeat they received at Villa Park on the 30 September 2023.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart Verbruggen; Odeluga Offiah (Joel Veltman 74), Lewis Dunk (Capt), Igor Julio (Adam Webster 74), Valentin Barco; Pascal Gross, Billy Gilmour; Facundo Buonanotte, Joao Pedro (Carlos Baleba 88), Simon Adingra (Julio Enciso 66); Mark O'Mahony (Danny Welbeck 46).
Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K), Jakub Moder, Adam Lallana, Ansu Fati.
AFC Bournemouth line-up (4-4-2):- Mark Travers; Adam Smith, Marcos Senesi (James Hill 90+1), Lloyd Kelly, Dango Quattara; Antoine Semenyo, Alex Scott (Max Aarons 77), Lewis Cook, Justin Kluivert (Dominic Sadi 90+2); Enes Unal (Ryan Christie 67), Dominic Solanke.
Subs not used: Neto (G/K), Cal McKenna (G/K), Michael DaCosta Gonzalez, Maxwell Kinsey.
Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire).
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Valentin Barco, Billy Gilmour. AFC Bournemouth: 2 - Marcos Senesi, Justin Kluivert.
Possession: Albion - 70%. AFC Bournemouth - 30%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth).
Attendance: 11188.
NEXT GAME:
5 MAY 2024 - ASTON VILLA - home - Premier League - kick-off 14.00. "Live" on Sky Sports.