Bournemouth 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 2
23 NOVEMBER 2024 PREMIER LEAGUE -
at the VITALITY STADIUM, BOURNEMOUTH.
Matchday 12 saw buoyant Albion on their travels again, this time journeying westwards along the coast to meet AFC Bournemouth in the Premier at the Vitality Stadium, the match being covered by BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
In their previous Premier League outing, the Albion had enjoyed an excellent 2-1 win over Champions Manchester City at the Amex on the 9 November and for their visit to the Vitality Stadium the Albion made two changes to their starting line-up from the City game, with Carlos Baleba and Joao Pedro replacing Jack Hinshelwood (injured) and Simon Adingra.
Last time out the Cherries lost 2-3 at Brentford in the Premier on the 9 November and for Albion's visit Head Coach Andoni Iraola made one enforced change to his starting line-up from that game, with Marcus Tavernier replacing the suspended Ryan Christie in midfield.
In their meetings last season, it was honours even, with the Albion winning 3-1 at the Amex on the 24 September 2023, with the goals coming from Kaoru Mitoma 2 (46m & 77m) and Milos Kerkez, own goal (45+2m) whilst the Cherries goal was scored by Dominic Solanke (25m). In the return game at the Vitality on the 28 April 2024 it was 3-0 to Bournemouth, with their goals being scored by Marcos Senesi (13m), Enes Unal (52m) and Justin Kluivert (87m).
It was the hosts who created the first opportunity when Justin Kluivert found Antoine Semenyo on the edge of the box and the latter's low volley flew just wide of the target. However, on four minutes the Seagulls took the lead with a peach of a goal when a fine move involving Danny Welbeck and Georginio Rutter ended with Cherries goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga parrying Rutter's rasping shot into the path of Joao Pedro and the Brazilian coolly slotted the ball home for Albion's opener. 1-0.
The Cherries, who had recently recorded excellent home wins against title chasers Arsenal and Manchester City now stepped-up their game and Kluivert had his shot saved by Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen. Thereafter striker Evanilson saw his shot held by Verbruggen and further efforts by Marcus Tavernier and Kluivert flew wide of the Albion goal.
Evanilson then thought he had equalised for the Cherries but after a lengthy VAR check the goal was chalked off as Kluivert was adjudged offside in the build-up.
Half-time 1-0.
The Albion made a super-start to the second-half when a slick move between Welbeck and Pedro saw the latter's exquisite through pass find the on-running Kaoru Mitoma who calmly slotted the ball home for a beauty. 2-0.
On the hour mark the Seagulls suffered a blow when midfielder Carlos Baleba received a second yellow card and then the obligatory red for a foul on Milos Kerkez, so Albion were down to 10-men for the remaining 30 minutes plus. Baleba will also be unavailable to the Albion for the next game, home to Southampton.
Despite their numerical advantage the Cherries created less than handful of chances which saw Semenyo's shot saved by Verbruggen and Kluivert fired wide when well placed. However, in the third minute of time added on substitute David Brooks fired home a fine left-foot shot to give hope to the Cherries. 2-1.
In the very last minute of the game Semenyo's shot struck the Albion crossbar and then the final whistle sounded. Phew - that was close!
Final-score 2-1.
Match stats:
Albion had 6 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 0 corners, free-kicks conceded - 10.
AFC Bournemouth had 19 attempts at goal, with 5 on target and won 7 corners, free-kicks conceded - 12.
This was the second game running that the Albion had failed to gain a single corner.
VERDICT - A fine win for the Seagulls with two well-executed goals converted by Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma. With new Head Coach Fabian Hurzeler and the new members of the squad still settling in, one feels that the best is yet to come, which cant be a bad thing.
Next is a home clash with Southampton on the 29 November, "live" in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Joel VELTMAN, Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Igor JULIO, Pervis ESTUPINAN; Carlos BALEBA, Yasin AYARI (Matt O'RILEY 76); Georginio RUTTER (Simon ADINGRA 64), Joao PEDRO (Mats WIEFFER 64), Kaoru MITOMA; Danny WELBECK (Capt) (Evan FERGUSON 86).
Subs not used: Jason STEELE (G/K), Brajan GRUDA, Julio ENCISO, Imari SAMUELS, Ruairi McCONVILLE.
AFC Bournemouth line-up (4-2-3-1):- Kepa ARRIZABALAGA; Adam SMITH (Capt) (Max AARONS 75), Illia ZABARNYI, Marcos SENESI (Dean HUIJSEN 65), Milos KERKEZ (Enes UNAL 80); Lewis COOK, Tyler ADAMS (Dango QUATTARA 65); Marcus TAVERNIER, Justin KLUIVERT (David BROOKS 75), Antoine SEMENYO; EVANILSON.
Subs not used: Mark TRAVERS (G/K), Philip BILLING, James HILL, Maxwell KINSEY.
Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).
Fourth Official: Sam Allison.
VAR Official: Graham Scott.
Red Card: Albion: 1 - Carlos Baleba.
Yellow Cards: Albion: 4 - Carlos Baleba (2), Jan Paul Van Hecke, Geoginio Rutter.
AFC Bournemouth: 2 - Lewis Cook, Antoine Semenyo.
Possession: Albion - 44%. AFC Bournemouth - 56%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Joao Pedro (Albion).
Attendance: 11196.
NEXT GAME:
29 NOVEMBER 2024 - SOUTHAMPTON - Home - Premier League - kick-off 20.00.
"Live" on Sky Sports.
Jack Kaye.