“Bournemouth Thrash Brighton 3-0 in Dominant Second-Half Display”

Bournemouth Edges Brighton in Hard-Fought First Half

Early Chances and Fouls

The match between Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion got off to a cagey start, with both teams jostling for control in the opening minutes. Brighton’s Igor Julio had the first real chance, but his left-footed effort from the box went wide following a set-piece situation in the 2nd minute. The game was punctuated by a series of fouls and free kicks, with players from both sides committing niggly infractions as they looked to gain an edge.

Brighton’s Valentín Barco was cautioned for a couple of fouls, first on Antoine Semenyo in the 7th minute and then on Marcos Senesi just a minute later. The Brighton defender was perhaps lucky to escape a booking as the challenges started to become more robust. Senesi himself was booked in the 8th minute for a poor challenge on João Pedro as the tempestuous start to the game continued.

Marcos Senesi Heads Bournemouth in Front

After a lengthy delay following an injury to Lewis Dunk around the 9th minute mark, the game settled into a more structured pattern. Both sides created half-chances, with Dominic Solanke seeing an effort blocked for the hosts in the 11th minute before Bournemouth won a pair of corners shortly after.

The decisive moment came in the 13th minute when Bournemouth’s Enes Ünal saw his close-range effort blocked by the Brighton defense, but the ball fell kindly for Marcos Senesi to head home from point-blank range and put Bournemouth 1-0 up. It was no more than the home side deserved after a bright start to the game.

Injury Stoppages and Missed Chances

The game was disrupted by a series of stoppages for injuries, first to Lewis Cook of  the Cherries in the 16th minute and then to Brighton’s João Pedro shortly after. When play resumed, the visitors started to look more threatening, with Mark O’Mahony missing a good chance in the 26th minute, set up by Pedro.

There were further delays for injuries to Pedro and Dominic Solanke, though the latter was eventually able to continue after treatment. The minutes ticked away with little sustained quality from either side, as Bournemouth looked to protect their slender lead and Brighton struggled to create clear-cut openings.

The half ended with Bournemouth introducing Danny Welbeck for O’Mahony in the 45th minute, as the hosts took a 1-0 lead into the break in this keenly contested affair.

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Bournemouth Blitz Brighton in Second Half Masterclass

Enes Ünal Heads Bournemouth Into Commanding Lead

The second half began with Brighton & Hove Albion pushing for an equalizer, but it was Bournemouth who struck the decisive blow just seven minutes after the restart. A blistering counter-attack saw Antoine Semenyo release Dango Ouattara down the right, and the Ivorian’s pinpoint cross was met by the stooping header of Enes Ünal, who powered the ball into the roof of the net to make it 2-0.

Bournemouth continued to threaten, with Justin Kluivert seeing a shot saved shortly after before Adam Smith wastefully fired over from range. Brighton rallied briefly, with João Pedro forcing a smart stop from Mark Travers, but the home side looked increasingly comfortable as the half wore on.

Kluivert Caps Rampant Second Half Display

The points were made safe in the 87th minute when Ryan Christie released Kluivert on the counter, and the Dutch winger showed great composure to slot home and make it 3-0 to Bournemouth. It was no more than the irrepressible hosts deserved after a second half performance full of energy and clinical finishing.

There was still time for a couple of late scares, with Marcos Senesi suffering an injury and Antoine Semenyo being forced off after Bournemouth had used all their substitutes, but nothing could deny Gary O’Neil’s side a hugely impressive victory.

Brighton’s Struggles Continue

For Brighton, this was another disappointing day at the office as their struggles continued. They offered little going forward after the break, with Julio Enciso’s long-range effort that fizzed just past the post as close as they came to threatening a response.

Roberto De Zerbi will be deeply concerned by his side’s lack of cutting edge and inability to sustain a performance over 90 minutes. With tough fixtures to come, the Italian has plenty to ponder as he looks to arrest Brighton’s slump.