EPL: Brighton Edge Bournemouth 2-1 to Move Up to Eighth in Premier League

Brighton & Hove Albion secured a 2-1 Premier League victory over Bournemouth, ending the Cherries' seven-game unbeaten away run.

Danny Welbeck's first Premier League goal since October proved to be the decisive factor as Brighton & Hove Albion secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bournemouth at the Amex Stadium. This win marked a significant milestone for Brighton, as they climbed to eighth in the Premier League table, while also bringing an end to Bournemouth's impressive seven-game unbeaten away run in the Premier League.

Diego Gomez, making his first Premier League start, made an instant impact on the game. The young player showcased his vision and passing range, carving open the Bournemouth defense with a precise through ball that found Kaoru Mitoma, who unfortunately steered his shot wide. Gomez's next defense-splitting pass, however, had a more profound impact on the match.

Brighton win 3 matches in a row 🫡#BHABOU pic.twitter.com/7nX7lP4GBt

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 25, 2025

Gomez's pass led to a penalty being awarded to Brighton after referee Michael Oliver ruled that Kepa Arrizabalaga had fouled Joao Pedro. Although some may have deemed the decision harsh, Pedro made no mistake from the subsequent spot-kick, calmly rolling the ball into the opposite corner as the Chelsea loanee goalkeeper guessed incorrectly.

As the first half progressed, Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo found himself with a golden opportunity to level the scoreline. Semenyo sprinted in behind Brighton's high defensive line, only to fire his shot directly at the resolute Bart Verbruggen. This near-miss proved costly for the Cherries, as Brighton maintained their slender 1-0 lead.

The first half drew to a close with Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma squandering another chance to extend the hosts' advantage. Mitoma volleyed against the upright from Tariq Lamptey's well-weighted cross, ensuring the lead remained a single goal. Despite the slender margin, Brighton's performance had been impressive, and they entered the halftime break with a narrow but deserved lead.

After the interval, Brighton continued to demonstrate their resilience, frustrating a Bournemouth side that had entered the contest as the second-highest away scorers in the league. The Cherries' persistence eventually paid off in the 61st minute, as Justin Kluivert restored parity with a stunning strike. Kluivert cut in from the left flank and unleashed an unstoppable shot that sailed beyond Verbruggen's reach. This goal marked a historic moment for Kluivert, as he became the first Bournemouth player to score 10 away goals in a top-flight season.

However, Kluivert's moment of glory was short-lived, as substitute Danny Welbeck restored Brighton's lead within three minutes of his arrival. Welbeck was sent through by Georginio Rutter and guided the ball in off the far post, securing maximum points for Fabian Hurzeler's side. This victory propelled Brighton up to eighth in the Premier League table, level on points with seventh-placed Bournemouth.