Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth LIVE: Premier League latest score, goals and updates from fixture
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Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma scored for a third game in succession to snatch a 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Bournemouth in a Premier League south-coast derby on Saturday.
With time running out and Bournemouth seemingly coming away from the Amex Stadium with a precious point, Mitoma stole into the box and rose high while back-pedalling to head home Jeremy Sarmiento’s cross at the near post in the 87th minute.
The goal was not a trademark finish from the electric Japanese winger but it was enough to seal three points as Brighton moved back up to sixth place with 34 points while Bournemouth are 19th, a point below the safety zone.
Earlier, Brighton’s Deniz Undav had the perfect chance to open the scoring when he pounced on a poor pass from Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto but the forward had his first shot blocked and his second saved while his final attempt cannoned off the post.
Bournemouth felt hard done by when Dango Ouattara was pushed to the ground in the box by defender Pervis Estupinan, who made no attempt to play the ball, but the referee and VAR deemed it a legal challenge and no penalty was given.
Midfielder Moises Caicedo was benched after Brighton refused to budge on his request to move in the January transfer window amid interest from Arsenal, but all seemed forgiven when he came on in the second half to a warm reception from the fans.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth
Roberto De Zerbi makes four changes from their FA Cup win over Liverpool last Sunday. Sanchez is back in goal, with Gilmour, Veltman and Undav also coming into the side. Steele and Webster start on the bench, as does Caicedo, who was left out for that game. Alexis Mac Allister is suspended and Evan Ferguson is out with an Achilles injury.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth
BOURNEMOUTH SUBS: Max Kinsey-Wellings, Euan Pollock, Matias Vina, Joe Rothwell, Mark Travers, Ryan Christie, Ben Greenwood, Kieffer Moore, Jack Stacey.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth
BOURNEMOUTH STARTING XI (4-4-1-1): Neto; Adam Smith, Chris Mepham, Marcos Senesi, Jordan Zemura; Dango Ouattara, Jefferson Lerma, Philip Billing, Jaidon Anthony; Hamed Traore; Antoine Semenyo.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION SUBS: Jason Steele, Odeluga Offiah, Andrew Moran, Julio Enciso, Moises Caicedo, Facundo Buonanotte, Adam Webster, Jeremy Sarmiento, Jan-Paul van Hecke.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION STARTING XI (4-2-3-1): Robert Sanchez; Tariq Lamptey, Joel Veltman, Lewis Dunk, Pervis Estupinan; Billy Gilmour, Pascal Gross; Solly March, Deniz Undav, Kaoru Mitoma; Danny Welbeck.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth
Brighton have the chance to leapfrog Fulham back into fifth spot today. They're unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions (W4 D1), including a brilliant comeback win to knock the holders Liverpool out of the FA Cup last weekend. The draw came in their previous league outing when they snatched a late point in a 2-2 draw with Leicester City. As for Bournemouth, they currently sit in the relegation zone and are one point from safety. They're still looking for their first win since the restart after the World Cup (D1 L6 in all competitions). Their 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest last time out was their first point and Premier League goal since November.
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