Bournemouth 3 Brighton & Hove Albion 2
Albion slumped to another league defeat at Bournemouth despite Adrian Colunga and Sam Baldock both scoring their first league goals for the club.
Although the Seagulls started brightly with Gary Gardener denied from a free kick by Atur Boruc in the Bournemouth goal. After Aaron Hughes was substituted and replaced by Inigo Calderon the Seagulls got a little shakey.
Just before the half hour a tame cross was headed into his own goal and past debut goal keeper Ali Al Habsi, by Seagulls captain Gordon Greer.
Greer almost scored an own goal the previous week against Rotherham, but went one better this time.
However almost immediately Joao Teixeria set up Colunga who rounded Boruc to put Albion level with half an hour gone.
But it was Bournemouth who were in the ascendancy, testing Al Habsi and ensuring Lewis Dunk put in another smart performance.
Just before half time Marc Pugh put the Cherries back in front with a half volley , which saw Al Habsi’s view blocked by Gary Gardener, who may have got a the final touch before it went in.
Bournemouth had a a few chances to increase their lead early in the second half , falling to Brett Pitman and Pugh, but Al Habsi and the defensive players coped well.
Lewis Dunk almost equalised for the Albion, but his powerful headed from a corner was scoped away by Boruc.
Then right on the hour after a half chance from Teixeira was cleared down field , Al Habsi pumped it straight up the middle, Greer headed the ball on and Baldock put Albion level again , with a shot into the bottom corner.
Teixeria had a good chance to put Albion in front soon , after as Lua Lua on as a substitute created a chance that flew across the six yard box and eventually fell to Gardner who blasted over from six yards out .
Just as Albion were getting on top , Danny Holla gave the ball away and Dunk brought down Callum Wilson in the penalty area and Yann Kormorgant fired home the resulting penalty to make it 3-2 to Bournemouth.
Craig Mackail-Smith also on as a substitute for Albion was denied a third equaliser , by a great goal saving tackle from Brightonian and ex Albion defender Tommy Elphick.
Albion stay 21st, just one point above Birmingham who occupy the last relegation spot.
The Seagulls now face a must win game against Wigan on Tuesday (4th November) at the Amex.
5 things we learnt about Albion’s trip to Bournemouth ……
1) New loan keeper Ali Al Habsi likes a punch . He punched away a variety of crosses a good distance . He also clears straight up the middle . Setting up Baldocks goal.
2) Sam Baldock doesn’t over celebrate scoring . Choosing to run first to the Albion’s contigent of fans,before showing any real emotion.
3) Gordon Greer is desperate for a goal ! After seeing David Stockdale save his blushes against Rotherham the Albion captain did score an OG from almost the exact same position on the right side of the penalty area.
4) Kazenga Lua Lua is now on four yellow cards and seemingly only one more caution away from another ban.
5 ) Despite years of tradition of chanting the manager of time’s name, current Seagulls fans prefer ” Tony Bloom’s blue and white army”
Read into that what you will.
