Brighton scored a goal four minutes into each half and then held on for dear life with 10 men to secure a 2-1 victory away to Bournemouth on Saturday.
WATCH BOURNEMOUTH v BRIGHTON FULL MATCH REPLAY
The victory moves Brighton (5th place - 22 points) up one spot in the Premier League table after 12 games. That’s four wins in six PL games for Brighton, who didn’t win a single game in September and looked to be struggling early in Fabian Huerzler’s tenure.
That is no longer the case after back-to-back wins over Manchester City and Bournemouth (13th - 15 points), the latter of which also beat Man City in recent weeks. That’s two hugely impressive victories to set the Seagulls on the right path again.
That certainly didn’t look like Brighton
Huerzler has officially turned the page on his predecessor, Roberto De Zerbi, and ushered in a tactical change that makes Brighton much tougher to play (and score) against. For all of the excitement that was De Zerbi’s Brighton, they never had anything resembling control or patience in games, and it cost them points time after time. It was the only thing holding them back from finishing even higher in the PL. They still press rather aggressively high up the pitch, but they don’t throw everyone forward into attack like they used to, and they’re on pace to give up half a goal less per game this far — 1.3 goals conceded per game this season (down from 1.8 last year).
Player ratings - Bournemouth vs Brighton
What’s next?
- Brighton vs Southampton — Friday, Nov. 29 (3 pm ET)
- Wolves vs Bournemouth — Saturday, Nov. 30 (10 am ET)
Bournemouth vs Brighton live updates - by Andy Edwards
Bournemouth vs Brighton final score: 1-2
Goalscorers: Joao Pedro (4'), Kaoru Mitoma (49'), David Brooks (90'+2)
GOAL! Bournemouth 1-2 Brighton: David Brooks pulls one back to make it tight late (90'+2)
RED CARD! Carlos Baleba shown his second yellow card and gets sent off (59')
Carlos Baleba and Milos Kerkez came together after a heavy touch put possession in danger for the Bournemouth left back. Baleba got their just after Kerkez and caught him on the ankle, which meant a second yellow card and an early shower. Not to mention, a lifeline for Bournemouth.
GOAL! Bournemouth 0-2 Brighton: Kaoru Mitoma scores after Joao Pedro’s pass beats the entire defense (49')
GOAL! Bournemouth 0-1 Brighton: Joao Pedro scores after Bart Verbruggen can’t hold the ball (4')
Bournemouth starting lineup
Arrizabalaga - Smith, Zabarnyi, Sensei, Kerkez - Adams, Cook, Kluivert - Semenyo, Tavernier, Evanilson
Brighton starting lineup
Verbruggen - Veltman, Van Hecke, Igor, Estupinan - Ayari, Baleba, Rutter, Mitoma - Welbeck, Pedro
How to watch Bournemouth vs Brighton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday (November 23)
Venue: Vitality Stadium — Bournemouth
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Watch live online via NBC.com
Bournemouth team news, focus
There are some big injury concerns piling up in attack for Bournemouth with Outtara, Sinisterra, Scott and Semenyo struggling. USMNT captain Tyler Adams has been very solid since returning to midfield, which is a huge boost. Bournemouth’s defense is extremely settled and their high-pressing with Evanilson in really good form up top always creates plenty of chances.
OUT: Alex Scott (knee), Luis Sinisterra (hamstring), Dango Ouattara (adductor), Julian Araujo (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Antoine Semenyo (knee)
Brighton team news, focus
The fact Brighton beat Man City without so many of their usual starters was incredible and the likes of Dunk, Webster, Hinshelwood and Minteh could be available to return this weekend. Danny Welbeck and Kaoru Mitoma have been excellent in attack and O’Riley’s return to fitness after his big summer move for Celtic gives them real quality and direct running from central midfield areas. Joao Pedro returning is big too.
OUT: Solly March (knee), James Milner (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Lewis Dunk (calf), Yasin Ayari (ankle), Jack Hinshelwood (knee), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), Tariq Lamptey (calf), Adam Webster (hamstring)
Bournemouth vs Brighton prediction
Chaos is what you’re going to see here. Expect plenty of goals in a real clash of styles and it to end even. Somehow. Bournemouth 3-3 Brighton.
