Bournemouth give themselves hope with 3-1 win over Brighton

Match Report

AFCB 3 v 1 Brighton & Hove Albion

21 January 2020

Attendance: 10,065

Ramsdale  keeps Bournemouth on track against Brighton with a 3-1 win.

A great night for Bournemouth. Perhaps there is some hope that Bournemouth can make an escape and avoid relegation. Brighton were certainly pulled into the battle to stay up after they had started the better and looked to impose themselves well. But Solanke started to get a grip in the box and Harry Wilson fired Bournemouth ahead on 36 minutes after good work from Bournemouth's number nine. A corner was then directed in by Groß just before half-time to leave Bournemouth 2-0 up. The lead was extended further when Callum Wilson rounded Ryan to make it 3-0 and Brighton picked up a consolation goal from Aaron Mooy to spoil Bournemouth's hopes of a clean sheet. The win though is massive and the mood had finally changed at Dean Court.

Bournemouth made a couple of changes with Simon Francis and Dominic Solanke starting and Steve Cook was unavailable because of a suspension and Gosling moved to the bench. Meanwhile, Lloyd Kelly returned to the bench from injury.

The start by Bournemouth was good with players pressing Brighton in their own half. Callum Wilson got caught offside early. Bernardo had Brighton's first shot which went wide after Mooy's run at the Bournemouth defence.

Advertisement

 

Rya nFraser was working hard to cut down a Brighton pass. A long ball over the top for Maupay, but he can't connect with a good shot. Brighton are starting to keep the ball better and Bernado hits his shot at a Bournemouth defender for a corner.

Pröpper is getting on the ball a lot for Brighton, but he's clipped Harry Wilson. Adam Smith is caught in possession and Mooy's cross is guided away by Rico on 11 minutes. Ramsadle takes a cross but can't get the game going quickly with his kick as he hist the referee. 

Jahanbakhsh has a shot that is deflected by Billing over the bar. Solanke clears the Brighton corner.

Harry Wilson is brought down. The free kick gets to Billing but he is too wide and it's easy for Ryan to collect.

Advertisement

Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -available now!

At the other end Ramsdale has to come out quickly to grab the ball. Brighton's free kick. Rico gets a good challenge on Groß and Lerma wins a free kick. 

Mooy finds Bernado but hits it straight against Adam Smith. Maupay and he is blocked when Jahanbakhsh was pleading for a pass.

Groß fouls Aké. It's all Brighton and Bournemouth can't get things going. Mooy into Maupay but Aké gets the tackle in.

Dunk fouls Adam Smith. Harry Wilson comes forward. Lerma loses the ball, but gets it back. Billing puts the ball out.

Stephens almost got caught by Solanke. Mooy again comes forward. Maupay and Ramsdale saves well, Akee got the wrong side. Bournemouth are lucky not to be 0-1 down on 28 minutes. Aké blocked the second attempt.

Advertisement

Harry Wilson gets a free kick and Bernado is booked. Harry Wilson slips, and Maupay is free but Groß is offside.

Callum Wilson to Solanke, he pulls it back and Rico finds the side netting. A great chance then. Harry Wilson tries to bend a shot but it's out for a corner. Short corner, Solanke back to Harry Wilson and it's blocked.

Another corner. Fraser to Lerma but couldn't play it back. Mooy hits a shot over at the other end.

Advertisement

Eddie Had a Dream is on sale now!

Billing up to half way. Callum Wilson and Solanke to Harry Wilson who has scored on 36 minutes. Nine minutes to half-time. Bournemouth are 1-0 up. Solanke did well to pass to set Harry Wilson up, who hit it into the top of the net with his left foot.

Solanke and Adam Smith but Dunk puts it out for a throw. The keeper misses it but Callum Wilson didn't get there. Solanke as a shot deflected for a corner.

Corner the near post it's gone in by Groß. Rico's corner goes in off the Brighton player. Callum Wilson wants to claim it. Anyway it's 2-0. Callum Wilson is announced as the goal scorer on 42 minutes. However, the ball though came off Groß's left foot. It should be an own goal.

Advertisement

Coastal Garden Buildings

Groß hits a shot over the bar. Solanke again, Fraser and Solanke tried to find Callum Wilson but Dunk got a challenge in for a corner. The keeper punches clear. Aké volley's high and wide.

Half-time, the Cherries are 2-0 up!

AFCB 35 per cent possession, six shots, 1 shot on target, 4 corners, 2 fouls
Brighton 65 per cent possession, nine shots, 2 shots on target, 2 corners, 6 fouls

Second half
Jahanbakhsh against Rico and Rico wins a goal kick. Callum Wilson against Dunk and Callum wins a corner. 

Jahanbakhsh shoots, it's deflected and Ramsdale sees it spin just past the post of Ake's foot. It's a corner. Ramsdale gets a hand on the cross.

Advertisement

Harry Wilson presses and catches Webster, Billing wins the ball. Solanke fouls Alzate. Billing to Harry Wilson. AdamSmith and Fraser tried to head it.

Maupay and  Groß bit Billing keeps him back. The confidence is back in Bournemouth's game. Fraser is fouled by Pröpper.

Alzaty fouls Fraser. Fraser delivers, Billing heads it down and Ryan makes the save for another corner.

Brighton make a triple change Connolly, March, and Trossard are coming on. Off go Jahanbakhsh, Bernado and Groß on 60 minutes.

Francis makes a diving header away with Connoly lurking. Dunk has a long shot that Ramsdale holds on to.

Fraser into Callum Wilson and Harry Wilson, but Dunk blocks. Aké makes a clearance.

Advertisement

Coastal Garden Buildings

Brighton have a corner. Dunk is in there and Ramsdale saves with his chest. Fraser is fouled by Trossard. Aké's free kick goes all the way through to Ryan.

Solanke leads the press. Francis fouls Connoly. Maupay, turn and finds room for a shot but Ramsdale makes the save, top corner. 

Callum Wilson, Fraser and Billing and Lerma slices his shot. Webster plays it back to Ryan and he just gets it away in time.

Mooy goes right footed and Ramsdale tips the shot over the bar. 19 minutes to go. Trossard on for Connoly but Aké wins the ball.

Advertisement

Maupay shoots with Francis in the way. Solanke is running strongly, it bounces off a defender.  Callum Wilson rounds the keeper and he's scored 3-0. That's a second assist for Solanke.

Mooy shoots wide. Harry Wilson wins the ball back and Fraser curls a shot inches wide. Stephens runs into Fraser, it's a foul. Fraser into Callum Wilson but it's headed clear.

Fraser wide to Callum Wilson and Ryan falls on the ball in front of Solanke. Brighton not looking when they play out at the back.

Mooy has scored in off the post on 81 minutes. Rico didn't make the block and Mooy hammered it in the goal.

Alzarte and Trossard's shot goes past the post. Bournemouth sub Solanke for Dan Gosling on 85 minutes. 

Harry Wilson is subbed for Lewis Cook on 89 minutes. Lerma is booked for a foul. Corner for Brighton. Akee is being checked for a penalty on Dunk - no penalty.

Ramsdale flaps at it but snatches Maupay's shot, finally falling on it. Francis and Aké got their blocks in well.

Fraser tries to get Callum Wilson in but the keeper is there first. Surman is looking to come on, but there's no time.

Summary
Bournemouth finally get their much needed win. It was hard work even if the score line looked very respectable. The big plus points were the play of Dominic Solanke and Callum Wilson's goal, while Ramsdale continues to be amazing in goal. The clean sheet would have been good, but the more important feeling is to finally have those three points. Bournemouth are still in the bottom three but there is hope.

AFCB Line up

AFCB Subs: Boruc, Simpson, Kelly, Gosling, Surman, L Cook, Surridge

AFCB Ratings
Ramsdale 9, A Smith 6, Francis 6, Aké 7, Rico 7, H Wilson 6, Lerma 6, Fraser 6, Billing 6,
Solanke 7, C Wilson 6

Cherry Chimes MoM: Aaron Ramsdale

Brighton

1 Ryan, 46 Alzate, 15 Webster, 5 Dunk, 30 Bernardo (March 60), 24 Pröpper, 6 Stephens, 18 Mooy, 13 Groß (Trossard 60), 7 Maupay, 16 Jahanbakhsh (Connoly 60)

Brighton Substitutes
4 Duffy, 11 Trossard, 17 Murray, 20 March, 21 Schelotto, 27 Button, 44 Connolly

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Bournemouth will lose chance if they can't get something against Brighton

Brighton arrive confident at Dean Court

Brighton & Hove Albion have done well in their first few games of the season. An away draw at Watford was followed up with a morale boosting 3-1 win at home against WBA and losing to Leicester City and Man City is no disgrace. But do we really know how good Chris Hughton's side is yet?

Bournemouth can start their south coast rivalries off with a win tonight.

I expect everyone knows the name of Pascal Gross by now after his heroics last weekend, but his signing from FC Ingolstadt 04 hardly raised a ripple of interest outside the Sussex coastline. Pascal impressed though with his desire to run at goal against WBA, and AFCB's midfield players could take some of that on board themselves. The big hope that took the Championship by storm for Brighton last season is Anthony Knockaert, but he may need a few games before we see him at his very best at this level.

Advertisement

Broom Hill Garden Buildings

Brighton had not scored before last weekend, so it will be interesting to see how attack minded they are away from home. If Chris Hughton sets his side to defend deep and play on the break he has to have plenty of faith in his back  line and keeper. Mathew Ryan has only let in five goals in the four matches so far played and he has big defenders around him in the shape of Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy who will both represent a danger at corners and free kicks.

Brighton do have their problems though in scoring and their forward line could be stronger. Tomer Hemed was expected to leave the club last summer and yet with Glenn Murray just back from an ankle knock, Izzy Brown out since the first match against Man City and Sam Baldock yet to make a start – this game could be much harder for AFCB if Hughton had more options up front.

AFCB Home Form
LL

Brighton Away Form
LD

Match preview on Ask the Fans

Possible AFCB team
4-4-1-1 Boruc (GK), A Smith (RD), Francis (CD), S Cook (CD), Daniels (LD), Ibe (RM),
L Cook (CM), Surman (CM), Pugh (LM), King (FW), Defoe (FW)

Subs
Begovic (GK), Mings (CD), Aké (CD), Gosling (CM), Arter (CM), Mahoney (RM), Mousset (FW)