Brighton 3-1 Bournemouth: Sub Kaoru Mitoma bags second-half brace after Milos Kerkez's own goal as hosts come from behind to move up to third in the Premier League
Share this @internewscast.com

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi found the perfect cure for a European hangover just when he needed it most.

The Seagulls were sluggish after losing to AEK Athens on their Europa League bow on Thursday.

Calamity keeper Bart Verbruggen had gifted Dominic Solanke an easy opener for Bournemouth.

They went ahead just 15 seconds after the break following an inspired double substitution from De Zerbi.

Kaoru Mitoma's second-half double helped Brighton bounce back from Euro defeat

Kaoru Mitoma’s second-half double helped Brighton bounce back from Euro defeat

The Japan midfielder scored 15 seconds after coming on with a clinical finish

The Japan midfielder scored 15 seconds after coming on with a clinical finish

Mitoma sealed come from behind win with deft header in the 77th minute on Sunday

 Mitoma sealed come from behind win with deft header in the 77th minute on Sunday

He sent on Karou Mitoma and Ansu Fati and the pair combined for the Japan star to put them in front.

And when Mitoma later grabbed his second of the game, De Zerbi jumped for joy and fist-pumped in celebration.

As promised, the Brighton boss rang the changes from midweek, making nine in all against winless Bournemouth.

The Cherries wanted an early penalty when a challenge from Pervis Estupinan sent Dominic Olanke tumbling in the box.

But referee John Brooks waved away the appeals, and the first half settled into a pattern of Bournemouth chasing Brighton shadows.

The hosts looked sluggish until Milos Kerkez's own goal drew them level in first-half injury time

The hosts looked sluggish until Milos Kerkez’s own goal drew them level in first-half injury time

Bournemouth went ahead when Dominic Solanke capitalised on an error by Brighton keeper

Bournemouth went ahead when Dominic Solanke capitalised on an error by Brighton keeper

That said, the Sussex side rarely laid a glove on their opponents, and they paid the price when the visitors grabbed a shock lead.

Bart Verbruggen, making his third Premier League start in goal, was caught napping on the ball on the edge of his own area.

And when Ryan Christie nicked the ball off his toes, Solanke was ready to pounce, curling home the opener into an empty net.

But while Brighton struggled to respond, they were gifted an equaliser just before the break.

Billy Gilmour swung in a routine cross but there was nothing Neto could do when Kerkez nodded it past him into his own net.

And when De Zerbi called for the cavalry after half time, it didn’t take long for the tide to turn.

Brighton defender Lewis Dunk cleared off his own line during a goalmouth scramble

Brighton defender Lewis Dunk cleared off his own line during a goalmouth scramble

Roberto De Zerbi's moved up to third in the Premier League after beating Bournemouth

Roberto De Zerbi’s moved up to third in the Premier League after beating Bournemouth

Both the subs were involved, with Mitoma starting the move and Ansu Fati combining with Mahmoud Dahoud to play him in.

Mitoma then produced an ice-cool finish to put Brighton in front, and the Seagulls were suddenly rampant.

Lewis Dunk and Fati both missed chances, but when Estupinan crossed for Mitoma, he made no mistake with his header.

Dunk cleared off his own line during a goalmouth scramble shortly afterwards but there was no way back for Bournemouth.

MATCH FACTS

Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen 5; Veltman 6, Webster 6, Dunk 7, Estupinan 7; Dahoud 6.5 (Baleba 74), Gilmour 6.5; Adingra 6, Buonanotte 5 (Mitoma 46, 8), Welbeck 5 (Pedro 63, 6); Ferguson 6.5 (Fati 46, 7).

Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Julio, March, Lallana

Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Neto 6; Aarons 6, Zabarnyi 5, Kelly 6 (Senesi 83), Kerkez 5; L Cook 6, Billing 6 (Brooks 82); Tavernier 6 (Outtara 64, 6), Christie 6.5 (Traore 82), Kluivert 6 (Semenyo 64, 6); Solanke 7.

Subs: Radu, Rothwell, Smith, Sinisterra,

Man of the Match: Karol Mitoma – changed the game

Referee: John Brooks 6

Attendance: 31,617

Share this @internewscast.com
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Former Premier League and England defender RETIRES at the age of 41… as he decides to call it a day after failing to find a new club following his release by Stoke at the end of last season

Former Premier League and England defender Phil Jagielka has announced his retirement…

Erik ten Hag insists there is still room for improvement for Man United teenagers Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo despite impressing against Everton

Erik ten Hag was full of praise for young starlets Alejandro Garnacho…

Chelsea ‘will REJECT Fulham’s approach for Armando Broja in January’ – as the goal-shy Cottagers look to fill the void left by Aleksandar Mitrovic’s departure to the Saudi Pro League last summer

Chelsea will reportedly reject an approach from Fulham for striker Armando Broja…

Real Madrid are without EIGHT first team players for their Champions League clash with Napoli – as Luka Modric, Vinicius Jr and Eduardo Camavinga join the LaLiga leaders’ long injury list

Real Madrid’s bid to secure top spot in their Champions League group has…

Thirty years after they ran gauntlet of hate in Istanbul, Man United are ready for another fiery ‘Welcome to Hell’ in crucial Champions League tie

It began with alarms going off at Manchester United’s team hotel, then…

Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk sets his sights on ANOTHER win over Man United in Turkey after guiding Istanbul Basaksehir to shock win in 2020 – and promises to ‘draw the fans in’

Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk is targeting another famous win against Manchester United…

‘Sorry Wazza, Garnacho’s was BETTER!’: Rio Ferdinand ranks the Man United winger’s stunning overhead kick against Everton above former team-mate Rooney’s Manchester derby effort

Rio Ferdinand is adamant Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho’s stunning acrobatic goal…

Wolves star Mario Lemina says ‘I GIVE UP’ while Matheus Cunha insists ‘we are tired of hearing excuses’… after referee Michael Salisbury admitted he ‘got it wrong’ in Fulham defeat

Mario Lemina and and Matheus Cunha posted despairing responses to Wolves’ latest…

TRANSFER GOSSIP COLUMN: Arsenal target Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz as replacement for Thomas Partey in January… and Ange Postecoglou could be reunited with one of his former Celtic signings

The January transfer window is just over a month away and a…

Fans fume at ‘genuinely unbelievable’ decision to award Fulham’s first penalty against Wolves… slamming the ‘absolutely AWFUL officiating’ as Gary O’Neil questions the point of VAR

Fans took to social media in droves to slam the ‘absolutely awful…

Man United star Jonny Evans receives MBE from Prince William at Buckingham Palace in recognition of his services to football after winning 106 caps for Northern Ireland

Manchester United star Jonny Evans received his MBE from Prince William at…