Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth LIVE: Premier League latest score, goals and updates from fixture
Follow all the reaction from The American Express Community Stadium
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
BLOCK! March's cross rolls across the face of goal without getting a touch and Mitoma picks it up on the far side. He leaves Smith on his knees with a clever drop of the shoulder before looking for Gilmour, but Billing blocks it.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth
Brighton win their first corner of the game and it's swung in by Gross. It's half-cleared as far as March on the edge of the box, and he lifts it back into the middle, but can't pick out Mitoma.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth
BLOCK! Gross finds a pocket of space and drills a low ball into the middle of the box for Undav. He unselfishly touches it to Gilmour on the D, but Lerma throws himself in front of the first-time effort.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth
Brighton are keeping possession well again and Veltman slides a good throughball to Welbeck in the box. He keeps it in play and it's great hold-up play even as he's being fouled by Senesi until Ouattara dispossesses him.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth
Again, Lamptey is away from Zemura down the right, and Gross spots his run. He tries to lift it over the top to him, but Neto is alert and rushes off his line to collect it.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth
There have been some very poor clearances so far from both keepers, with Sanchez slicing a clearance straight to Ouattara. He drives into the box and gets a shove from Estupinan. VAR has a quick look, but there's no penalty.
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