Bournemouth 2‑1 Brighton & Hove Albion (13 September 2025) — Match Report
At Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth grabbed a narrow but meaningful win over Brighton & Hove Albion, with the final score 2‑1 in favour of the Cherries.
Key Facts
- Final Score: Bournemouth 2 ‑ 1 Brighton
- Scorers:
• Alex Scott – 18th minute (Bournemouth)
• Kaoru Mitoma – 48th minute (Brighton equaliser)
• Antoine Semenyo – 61st minute (penalty for Bournemouth) - Venue: Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth
- Notable Debut: Bournemouth fielded Veljko Milosavljevic in his first top‑flight appearance due to injuries in the defensive line.
Match Flow & Turning Points
- Bournemouth started with energy, and their early goal through Alex Scott (after a good pass from Semenyo) gave them the lead before half‑time.
- Just after the break, Brighton came out strongly and Mitoma’s header (from a cross by Minteh) levelled the game.
- The key moment came when Jan Paul van Hecke fouled Evanilson in the box around minute 61, leading to a penalty. Semenyo converted with composure to restore Bournemouth’s lead.
- Brighton tried to respond, making substitutions and pressing forward, but Bournemouth managed to defend resiliently and saw the game out.
Player Highlights
- Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth): Very influential: involved in the creation of Bournemouth’s opening goal and then calm from the spot to score.
- Alex Scott (Bournemouth): Scored the first goal. His timing and composure from just outside the box made the difference early.
- Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton): Showed determination after the break; his equalizer gave Brighton hope.
- Veljko Milosavljevic: The young centre‑back making his debut did reasonably well under pressure, especially considering Bournemouth’s injury issues at the back.
Tactical/Analytical Observations
- Bournemouth’s strong start and utilisation of space in midfield gave them early control. Their attacking moves via wings and crosses worked well.
- Brighton’s response after halftime showed good intensity, especially from Minteh and Mitoma. But defensive lapses (the foul for the penalty) cost them.
- Substitution strategies: Brighton tried to change momentum with fresh legs; Bournemouth, once ahead, concentrated on maintaining defensive structure and absorbing pressure.
Implications & What It Means
- For Bournemouth, this win adds momentum. Getting three points at home, especially with a younger defender playing and stepping up under pressure, is a good sign for squad depth and morale.
- For Brighton, the loss is a setback, especially after equalising soon after halftime — but the performance showed fight. They’ll need to tighten discipline and avoid critical mistakes (such as conceding penalties) in future matches.
- In the context of the Premier League table, this result boosts Bournemouth’s position and keeps their confidence high; Brighton may need to bounce back to keep up with rivals.
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