AFC Bournemouth v Brighton – Highlights & Reaction

AFC Bournemouth hosted Brighton & Hove Albion in something of a south-coast seaside derby.

There may well be around 100 miles between the two sides, separated with Southampton and Portsmouth in the middle, but with this fixture being a regular on the calendar up and down the divisions and shared local television coverage, this has always been a little bit more than a general run of the mill match.

However, with Storm Bert blowing in, rain and wind hit Dean Court, whilst the Cherries served up a bit of a damp squib of a performance.

With Ryan Christie suspended, AFC Bournemouth lacked the usual tempo and aggressive press. Tyler Adams stepped in and played the deeper role of the central midfield pair with Lewis Cook pushed on slightly further than his usual role. But Christie’s absence and influence was all too obvious.

Two early goals from the visitors at the start of both halfs enabled the performance to look comfortable for the visitors. When Brighton had a man sent off for the final half an hour, the Cherries still created very little of note until the final 10 minutes and only really built any kind of momentum in stoppage time, scoring a goal through David Brooks and hitting the crossbar with Antoine Semenyo.

After the match, AFC Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola told Sky Sports…

“It was difficult because we scored in the few remaining minutes. The first half was good from us, we had more chances but they have been more clinical and in the end this is what counts.

“I think we played quite a level game but especially first half I think we were better than Brighton.

“They scored, it was small margins [with the offsides], we hit the crossbar at the end, it has been this kind of game.”

Man of the match against Brighton Brooks Vote Semenyo Vote Huijsen Vote Adams Vote O. Dango Vote Kerkez Vote Unal Vote Someone else Vote

https://twitter.com/afcbournemouth/status/1860397162552590558

AFCBmattjamr

I think that’s the worst performance under AI. Just sloppy and no tempo. Brighton weren’t even that good.
I really thought we could be looking up the table this season, maybe put pressure on a European spot but the last two results tell me we aren’t ready yet.

NWCherries98

First half we were comfortably the better team. Kepa spilling what seemed like a fairly routine save gave them their only real chance. They’re a good team but they’re not any better than us across the pitch other than being more clinical.

Second half was absolutely hapless and one of the most frustrating halves I’ve seen us have under Al. To concede another goal straight from kick off essentially, is stupid, they’re a good team when they’re winning. As soon as the player got sent off, I thought we were given an unfair lifeline, but that was just not what you want to see as a fan. Lifeless, aimless, lazy, hopeless passages of play.

Our finishing of chances is quite concerning. We created more than them, a team that’s flying, and we didn’t take advantage. Our crossing is also consistently brainless, we don’t seem to find players, we just smack it into the area.

Too many of the core squad had poor games, Cook, Senesi, Kluivert, Semenyo, Tavernier, Evanilson were all below par. I really, really hope Kepa doesn’t have it in his contract that he has to play, his displays haven’t earned that honour. Travers has been faultless. Semenyo being booked for Wolves is a bit of a disaster too, you just know we’re going to help them up the table.

I thought we were going to win game in the second half, we were the better team and just needed to calm down a bit and think about what we were doing more. I think Al could’ve made better subs, don’t really see the point in putting Huijsen on for Senesi when we’re doing the 3 at the back tactic. As bad as Senesi was, his passing is pivotal to how we play. Very disappointed overall.

fritter

Our lack of attack in the box is an issue. We had a lot of openings but rarely troubled the keeper or the goal.

I thought Brighton were very good. Both goals were from crisp passing moves that we couldn’t keep up with.

Christie is a big miss. No one breaking up play in the middle.

I Thought Kerkez was terrific and a special mention for Adam Smith who kept Mitoma quiet all game.

Edited to add. Just seen goals and Smith left Mitoma for the second one. I still think he had an excellent game.

northstandmark

Iraola with a rare mistake today for me. Even at 11 v 11 Evanilson was painfully isolated and unsupported, but after the red, there was no excuse not to better support him.

I think the idea was Kluivert pushing higher to do this, but it was clear early on that he was having one of his quiet days.

Finally we brought Unal on late. I know he’s not been at his best this season, but immediately we looked far more threatening. If the game goes on another 5 minutes with Unal supporting Evanilson we likely come away with another goal. Should have been on earlier. – To join the conversation, click here.