Brighton and Hove Albion v AFC Bournemouth
A L B I O N R E P O R T - ( 18 )
4 FEBRUARY 2023 -
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1 ( Kaoru Mitoma 87 minutes )
AFC BOURNEMOUTH 0 -
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY STADIUM, FALMER.
Seventh-placed Albion (31 points from 19 games) entertained eighteenth-placed AFC Bournemouth (17 points from 20 games) at the Amex in a Premier League fixture, broadcast over the airwaves on BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Last time out the Albion had beaten Liverpool 2-1 in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup at the Amex on the 29 January and for the visit of AFC Bournemouth, Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi made four changes to his starting line-up from the Liverpool game, with Robert Sanchez, Joel Veltman, Billy Gilmour and Deniz Undav coming in for Jason Steele, Adam Webster, Alexis Mac Allister (suspended) and Evan Ferguson (injured). Deniz Undav was making his first Premier League start for the Seagulls.
AFC Bournemouth returned to the Premier after finishing as runners-up to Champions Fulham in the Championship promotion-race last season. Following a 0-9 defeat away at Liverpool early this season Head Coach Scott Parker stepped down from his position and was replaced by Gary O'Neil.
Recently the Cherries became yet another Premier club to fall under American ownership and they were the biggest spenders in the January transfer window just gone. In their previous outing Bournemouth drew 1-1 at home to Nottingham Forest in the Premier on the 21 January and for their visit to the Amex, Coach O'Neil made five changes to his starting line-up from that game, with Chris Mepham, Marcos Senesi, Philip Billing, Hamed Troare and Antoine Semenyo replacing Jack Stephens, Lloyd Kelly, Joe Rothwell, Ryan Christie and Kieffer Moore.
New signings Hamed Troare and Antoine Semenyo were making their Premier League debuts for the Cherries.
Albion missed a great opportunity of taking the lead on 14 minutes when Cherries goalkeeper Neto passed the ball to Albion's Deniz Undav in the penalty area but the striker failed to take advantage of the opportunity as his first shot was deflected by Chris Mepham, keeper Neto saved his second shot and his third effort hit the post.
The visitors then had a chance at the other end but Jefferson Lerma drove his shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area. Defenders then came to the fore as Billy Gilmour had his shot blocked, Chris Mepham then blocked a volley by Pascal Gross and Albion defender Joel Veltman denied Jaidon Anthony as he was about to pull the trigger. The next chance fell to the Seagulls when Solly March produced a fine cross from the left but Danny Welbeck's header was straight at keeper Neto and another chance fell to March whose shot was deflected over the bar. The last action of the half saw Lerma try his luck from distance but his well-struck shot was comfortably held by Albion keeper Robert Sanchez.
Half-time 0-0.
The second-half started with Welbeck firing over the bar and Gilmour shooting into the side netting. Coach De Zerbi made a double substitution on 57 minutes, with Moises Caicedo replacing Gilmour and Jeremy Sarmiento replacing Welbeck. The Albion supporters gave Caicedo a warm welcome, despite his recent tantrums.
Sarmiento settled into the game quickly, dribbling past two defenders before firing a shot straight at Neto. Pervis Estupinan then came to Albion's rescue, making an excellent block tackle to deny debutant striker Antoine Semenyo from getting his shot on goal away. Albion made another double substitution on 75 minutes, with recent signing Argentinian Facundo Buonanotte (19) replacing Tariq Lamptey and Julio Enciso replacing Undav.
Keeper Neto made a superb save to keep out a piledriver from Kaoru Mitoma but on 87 minutes Sarmiento from the left sent in a pinpoint cross where Mitoma rose to head the ball into the Bournemouth net despite Neto's frantic efforts to keep the ball out. A late winner for the Seagulls and deserved. 1-0.
The Albion comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to clinch three more valuable points.
Final-score 1-0.
Albion had 20 shots at goal, with 6 on target and won 7 corners, free-kicks conceded - 14.
AFC Bournemouth had 12 shots at goal, with 2 on target and won 3 corners, free-kicks conceded - 7.
TO SUM UP - Three hard-won points for the Seagulls and a rise up to sixth place in the Premier League table - get those passports ready for trips to Europe!
It was good to see Moises Caicedo back involved and the Albiion supporters gave him a warm welcome back. As ever, Kaoru Mitoma was the star, with his late winner and third goal in three games.
Albion line-up (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.
AFC Bournemouth (4-4-1-1):- Neto; Adam Smith, Chris Mepham, Marcos Senesi, Jordan Zemura; Dango Quattara, Jefferson Lerma, Philip Billing (Joe Rothwell 66), Jaidon Anthony (Matias Vina 81); Hamed Troare (Ryan Christie 61); Antoine Semenyo.
Subs not used: Mark Travers (G/K), Jack Stacey, Kieffer Moore, Euan Pollock, Ben Greenwood, Maxwell Kinsey-Wellings.
Referee: Craig Pawson (Sheffield).
Yellow Cards: Albion: 3 - Joel Veltman, Lewis Dunk, Moises Caicedo.
AFC Bournemouth: 1 - Adam Smith.
Possession: Albiion - 72%. AFC Bournemouth - 28%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Kaoru Mitoma (Albion).
Attendance: 31600.
Albion’s next match - v Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, 11th February at 3pm