Fabian Hürzeler refuses to discuss potential European qualification for this Brighton side, but the prospect is looking increasingly likely after winning three successive Premier League matches for the first time since 2023. In a thrillingly congested top-half scrap, Brighton are now up to eighth, just one point off a fifth place that will almost certainly provide Champions League football next season.
Befitting a contest between two sides that now sit on identical points tallies, this was an entertaining tussle with little to split them. If Bournemouth edged possession and perhaps enjoyed the best of the action in the middle of the park, it was Brighton who made their chances count.
On his return from injury, Danny Welbeck proved the match‑winner 15 minutes from time, restoring the hosts’ advantage after a stunning Justin Kluivert strike had cancelled out João Pedro’s fortunate early penalty.
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That this was a battle between two European-chasing teams might have seemed unlikely in this era of limitlessly wealthy backers. But this is where these two clubs aspire to be.
Since first climbing into the Premier League eight years ago, the hosts have quickly removed themselves from the ranks of those who start each campaign fearing a return to the Championship and established themselves in the upper-mid reaches of the table, savouring the arrival of Europa League football last season. Bournemouth actually ascended to the top flight two seasons earlier than their opponents from along the south coast, but have never earned more than 48 points and were forced to stomach two years back in the second tier not long ago.
To no club more than Brighton, other than possibly Brentford, might Bournemouth’s ambitious American owners look as they seek an example to emulate when bidding to cement their acquisition as a Premier League force.
These are a crucial few weeks in Brighton’s quest to welcome continental teams again next season, with league games against Fulham, Manchester City and Aston Villa to follow: three clubs with similar goals, even if they are frustratingly low for City as reigning champions.
Albion’s mission received an early boost here courtesy of a penalty that might either be deemed harsh on the helpless Kepa Arrizabalaga or simply the natural outcome of João Pedro’s smart attacking nous. Played in sweetly by a defence-splitting Diego Gómez pass, the Brazilian waited for the Bournemouth goalkeeper to charge off his line, poked the ball in the opposite direction without the slightest intention of ever regaining it, and happily clattered straight into Kepa. Once Michael Oliver had pointed to the spot, his interpretation meant the decision was never likely to be overturned and João Pedro duly converted.
In a largely even first half in which Bournemouth lacked composure in sight of goal, the hosts might well have doubled their advantage from a volley by the in-form Kaoru Mitoma before the break, but it struck a post. The Japanese winger did brilliantly to strike Tariq Lamptey’s cross so sweetly, given the ball was slightly behind him, but his aim was off.
Andoni Iraola threw on Marcus Tavernier at half-time, after which his players responded visibly to his demands of an increase in intensity. It quickly had the desired effect.
No sooner had the hour ticked by than Kluivert levelled with one of the cleanest strikes he will ever place on a ball. Having picked it up on the left flank, the Dutchman drove infield, cut inside his marker and fired into the far top corner, rendering Bart Verbruggen’s full-stretch dive futile.
Increasingly, it was the visitors who gained the ascendancy and only an excellent point-blank Verbruggen save prevented Alex Scott, on as a Bournemouth substitute, from finding the net from close range.
But then came Brighton’s sucker punch. Just two minutes after coming off the bench, Welbeck latched on to the end of Georginio Rutter’s through ball and slotted neatly past the onrushing Kepa. His gently struck shot seemed to take an age, rolling towards the far post, where it flicked the inside of the upright and nestled into the net, providing the injury-troubled striker his first goal since October.
Evanilson came on for his first Bournemouth appearance since breaking a foot at the start of January and was almost presented a tap‑in from a couple of yards, only for Verbruggen’s hand from Luis Sinisterra’s cross to push the ball through the Brazilian’s legs.
