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
CHANCE! It's a bright start to the second half by Bournemouth as Zemura is picked out on the overlap down the right. He hangs a cross into the far post and Ouattara runs onto it but loops his header over.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth get us back underway for the second half!
Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth
De Zerbi will be the slightly happier of the two managers at the break - his side dominated, but they need to be more clinical to get something to show for it. Bournemouth were frustrated, feeling that some big refereeing decisions went against that, but O'Neil needs to help them put that out of their minds as they aim for their first win.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth
It's goalless at the break between Brighton and Bournemouth. Arguably, the hosts should be in the lead, with Undav having three glorious chances in the space of as many seconds early on; his first shot was blocked by Smith before Neto parried away the follow-up, and on the third, he smacked the post. At the other end, Lerma fired a great chance wide and Billing forced Sanchez into a good save from long range in stoppage time.
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