The Media Review: Bournemouth beaten to make it three on the spin

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Nick Szczepanik

2025-02-26T10:30+00:00

Joao Pedro put Albion in front from the penalty spot in the first half. 📷 by James Boardman.

The media lounge at the Amex was buzzing after Albion’s 2-1 victory over AFC Bournemouth, with a number of the scribes in attendance saying that it was one of the best games, if not the best, that they had seen all season. And that view was reflected in the match reports.

Henry Clark of The Daily Mail, for example, wrote that “there will have been those inside the Amex Stadium on Tuesday night too young to remember when this clash was played as a League One fixture just 14 years ago.

“Look at them now. Two of the most entertaining, exciting sides in the best league in the world, both with dreams of upsetting the odds by nabbing a European spot.

“It was a breathless, absorbing game. It created the viewing experience you’d expect on Centre Court at Wimbledon rather than a Premier League game. And it was Brighton's old-timer Danny Welbeck who sent down the decisive ace after coming off the bench.

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Joao Pedro gave Albion a well deserved half-time lead, after scoring from the penalty spot. Despite Bournemouth levelling the score through Justin Kluivert, it was second half substitution Danny Welbeck who sealed all three points for Fabian Hurzeler, lifting Albion to eighth in the Premier League. Club photographers Paul Hazlewood and James Boardman were at the Amex to capture all the action.

“Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen nudged Pedro into the onrushing Kepa. Pedro dusted himself down and made no mistake from 12 yards.

“The game continued at break-neck speed after half-time. Kluivert levelled in style. Verbruggen denied Dango Ouattara from point-blank range before substitute Welbeck grabbed the winner just three minutes after coming on.

“A glorious turn from Rutter created space and he found Welbeck, the coolest man on the pitch, who finished past Kepa.”

In The Daily Mirror, Ian Baker set the aims even higher than any old “European spot”, writing that “the ex-England striker slotted home via the post as the Seagulls won the battle of the outsiders for Champions League qualification.

“This was a fourth straight win for Fabian Hurzeler’s side since their 7-0 humiliation at Nottingham Forest. And it put the Seagulls level on points with Bournemouth as both continue to compete with the big boys.

“The two sides showed just why they are competing at the top in an encounter of the highest class.”

Graham Nickless of The Sun also suggested that both teams are aiming at Europe’s elite competition: “Danny Welbeck claimed the South Coast Champions League bragging rights against Bournemouth,” he wrote.

“The super-sub beat up the Cherries with a stylish second-half winner which had the Seagulls flying level on points with their coastal rivals.

Danny Welbeck has now scored 30 Premier League goals for Albion. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

“Both seaside towns [we’re a city, Graham] have been in splashing form in their bid to claim their place at the top European table next season.

“But it was the side from Sussex who came out on top again with their fourth successive home win against the boys from Dorset.

“Brighton gave their January signing, former Inter Miami star Diego Gomez his full debut - and the Paraguayan didn’t let his team down. He was a constant threat and did indeed provide the pass that led to Pedro’s first half penalty.”

James Gheerbrant of The Times also picked out Gómez’s contributions after writing that “it was a game full of attacking intent on both sides but Brighton shaded it for creativity, and most tellingly, had the greater depth of quality on the bench. Welbeck’s precise finish, from a move started by his fellow substitute Yasin Ayari, was ultimately the difference.

“Diego Gómez, making his first start for Brighton, played two superb through-balls in quick succession. The first presented Kaoru Mitoma with a clear chance which he nudged wide under just enough pressure from the defender. The second, a couple of minutes later, sent João Pedro clean through on the goalkeeper.

“Arrizabalaga did not so much take out the striker as get run into, but a penalty felt just about fair given the ball was gone and João Pedro’s momentum could hardly have taken him anywhere else. The Brazilian picked himself up and buried the penalty.

“Gómez continued to shine with a superb dribble out of his own half followed by a superb piece of close control from a ball fired at him around hip height. Brighton then came within inches of a gorgeous goal. Minteh and Rutter combined beautifully before the latter played a lovely pass to the cantering Tariq Lamptey, whose first-time cross was met by Mitoma with a stretching volley which pinged off the inside of the post.

“With an hour gone, an outstanding goal by Justin Kluivert levelled the match. Brighton were reeling and a restless crowd were grateful to Verbruggen for a superb point-blank save when Scott looked certain to score.

Bart Verbruggen pulled off an outstanding save to deny Alex Scott was looked like a certain goal. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

“Instead, the crucial third goal went to the home team, somewhat against the run of play. It came from a poor defensive header by Kerkez, which gifted possession to Ayari, who passed to Rutter, who slipped a lovely channel ball into the path of Welbeck. His finish was perfection, rolled past Arrizabalaga’s left hand and clipping the inside of the post on its way in.”

In The Guardian, Ben Bloom wrote that “Fabian Hürzeler’s refusal to engage with discussion around potential European qualification for his Brighton side has become something of a running joke. So when he deflected a question after this third successive Premier League win – the first time Brighton have managed such a feat since 2023 – he did so with a knowing smirk.

“With league fixtures against Fulham, Manchester City and Aston Villa up next, perhaps he is wise not to allow his thoughts to drift too far into the future. In this battle between two clubs now with identical tallies, just a solitary point off fifth spot, Hürzeler concluded that his side was ‘the lucky winner’ on the eve of his 32nd birthday.

“That was, perhaps, a slightly harsh assessment. 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.”