Kaoru Mitoma scored a late winner to help Brighton produce one of the narrow football scores of the weekend in the Premier League. Fresh off his injury-time winner in the FA Cup matches against Liverpool, Mitoma was back at it when he met a left-wing cross with seconds left to lift Brighton into sixth place. In spite of having plenty of scoring opportunities, particularly in the first half, Roberto De Zerbi’s team failed to score despite scoring 16 goals in January, including two victories over Liverpool. Danny Welbeck and Denis Undav were responsible for that, with Undav striking the post with his final attempt after sensationally squandering three quick-fire chances in four seconds. However, those wasted opportunities didn’t matter in the end because Brighton’s Japanese star eventually found a way through.
Moses Caicedo was warmly welcomed back into the fold by De Zerbi after the player unsuccessfully sought a transfer away in January. Instead, the Ecuadorian had to make do with a spot on the bench. In the opening two minutes, Danny Welbeck rose to meet Tariq Lamptey’s cross inside the six-yard box, giving Brighton an opportunity. However, referee Craig Pawson deemed the Seagulls striker had fouled Neto, saving the Cherries from giving up an early goal.
Along with Antoine Semenyo, Hamed Traore, one of Gary O’Neil’s six January acquisitions, crossed for Chris Mepham, who could only use the outside of his foot to tap the ball into the side-netting. Undav then had a remarkable stretch of play go by without scoring. After Mepham blocked his initial shot and Neto parried the rebound, the Brighton striker missed his third attempt when it would have been simpler to score. Pervis Estupinan took down Dango Ouattara before Jefferson Lerma skied a shot at the other end, but a VAR review concluded there was no penalty, infuriating the Bournemouth bench.
The visitors escaped a late barrage when Undav fired a cross toward the six-yard box, but Welbeck was unable to connect. After the break, the match grew scrappier, which suited Bournemouth. They looked dangerous on the break, but Semenyo’s decisions at critical moments let Brighton off the hook. As the clock passed the 80-minute mark, the dangerous Dango Ouattara attempted a soft shot to the bottom corner that tested Robert Sanchez, but neither team was able to score. It was up to Mitoma to forge the pivotal moment as the game began to wane. Mitoma nodded into the upper-left corner after Jeremy Sarmiento sent a cross from the left into the box to keep Brighton on the attack.
Brighton has won 10 of its 20 Premier League games so far this season. They have only won more games in a single season in the division once, and that wasn’t until their 35th game in 2021–22 (12). In their last six away Premier League games, Bournemouth has lost all six contests while going scoreless in five of those losses. No side in the top division has earned fewer points (5) than the Cherries have done thus far this year.
Seven of Bournemouth’s past eight games, played in all competitions, have resulted in losses (D1). Over the course of these eight games, they have only scored three goals. In his last 11 appearances for Brighton in all competitions, Mitoma has scored seven times, scoring exactly once each time. In fact, Mitoma is now tied for the team’s best scorer in 2022–23 with Leandro Trossard, Alexis Mac Allister, and Pascal Groß (seven each).
“Regarding the Premier League standings, Brighton fans are in a pinch-yourself zone. This is a club that is already at the top, with a team that is at the top of their game and a backroom staff that is miles ahead of the majority of their Premier League opponents,” Lewis Jones said. “It has an unyielding strategy and an incredible capacity for adaptation and pivot, flying over obstacles with ease. Undoubtedly, a push for Europe is in the works. Managerial change? No issue. loss of January’s leading scorer? reserve players. The team’s starting midfielder wants to depart. Options outside. They seem to have an answer for everything that is thrown at them. Even the Moses Caicedo incident, which attracted Arsenal’s attention, was handled quickly. No fuss No issues. Given the strength and confidence he has given his players, Roberto De Zerbi didn’t even need a player who could have brought the team £60 million in January.”
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