Bournemouth 1 Brighton 2: Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma goals keep Seagulls in top four race despite Baleba red card
FORGET Storm Bert, Bournemouth were hit by an early swarm of ravishing Seagulls on the south coast.
Just four minutes were on the clock and Albion were celebrating a goal for all seasons.
The visitors put the wind up their hosts with an array of side flicks, back heels and one-twos.
And the slick show of attacking intent ended when Georginio Rutter took a return pass from Danny Welbeck and lashed in a shot.
Cherries goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga could only push the ball out to Joao Pedro to net with ease at the back post.
Albion took just four minutes after the break to breeze 2-0 up through Kaoru Mitoma.
But there was a little good cheer in the home camp in stoppage time when sub David Brooks lashed home a consolation goal.
Antoine Semenyo went close with the final kick of the game as he struck the crossbar, but Brighton held on for the points.
Bournemouth were looking to win four home Premier League games in a row for the first time in their history.
And the Seagulls were keen to win and notch their 13th point since the start of October to equal the amount league leaders Liverpool have recorded in the same period.
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And the driving wind and rain helped to enhance the entertainment as the ball fizzed around the park.
Bournemouth were hot from the start and nearly swept ahead after just 70 seconds when Semenyo pulled his shot wide.
And in all honesty they should have equalised before the break after producing their own neat openings.
Justin Kluivert volleyed one effort straight at Albion goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen on 19 minutes.
Then Evanilson raced clear a minute later and shot straight at Verbruggen when he had two team-mates screaming for a pass.
Bournemouth then suffered another blow when Semenyo picked up his fifth booking of the campaign for a foul on Rutter.
The Ghana international will now be suspended for next week’s trip to Wolverhampton.
And just before half-time Evanilson had a “goal” ruled out by VAR for offside.
But once again Bert was outshone by the Albion who stormed 2-0 up just four minutes after the break.
Pedro had the vision to pass the ball inside the full-back allowing Mitoma to side-foot the ball past a stranded Arrizabalaga – and it was given after a VAR check for offside.
The goal stunned the home supporters who normally see their heroes making brisk starts.
And once again the home side should have levelled immediately but Evanilson had left his shooting boots back in the dressing room.
The Brazilian was desperate to become the first Bournemouth player to score in four successive Premier League games since Callum Wilson in 2019.
But when Semenyo set him up just 10 yards out from goal the £40million summer record signing astonishingly placed the ball wide.
Then the tables started to turn on Brighton when they suddenly found themselves a man down on 59 minutes.
Baleba received an early bath from referee Stuart Attwell for picking up a second yellow for leaving his foot on Milos Kerkez.
Bournemouth saw plenty of the ball but their finishing was woefully short on the day.
And once again Evanilson was the culprit on 79 minutes when his weak header was comfortably caught by Verbruggen.
Then substitute Enes Unal came close to making an instant impact for the hosts after replacing Kerkez.
Another sub Dango Ouattara sent in the perfect cross but Unal’s close-range diving header went wide.
Brighton conceded that late goal to Brooks but weathered a late storm to take all three points back to Sussex.