Welbeck’s Late Goal Secures Brighton’s Win Against Bournemouth

BRIGHTON, England — Danny Welbeck came off the bench to score a decisive late goal, leading Brighton to a 2-1 victory over AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday. The win marks Brighton’s fourth consecutive victory in all competitions and solidifies their position as contenders for European qualification.

Welbeck, who replaced Joao Pedro just three minutes before his goal, received a pass from Georginio Rutter and fired a left-footed shot into the net, striking the inside of the far post before finding the back of the net. This goal marked his 30th Premier League goal for Brighton, equaling Pascal Gross for the most in the club’s top-flight history.

Brighton’s manager, Fabian Hurzeler, praised Welbeck’s performance, stating, “He is a leader and so important for the young players. He got what he deserved today.” The victory lifted Brighton to eighth place in the Premier League, tied on points with Bournemouth, who reside in seventh.

The match had a thrilling start, with both teams creating several opportunities. Brighton opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Pedro converted a penalty after being fouled by Bournemouth goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Brighton almost doubled their lead before halftime, but Kaoru Mitoma‘s attempt hit the post following a cross from Tariq Lamptey.

Bournemouth equalized in the 62nd minute through Justin Kluivert, who executed a phenomenal shot from the left after receiving a pass from Milos Kerkez. This goal also made Kluivert the first Bournemouth player to score 10 away goals in a Premier League season.

Despite Bournemouth’s resurgence, it was Welbeck’s late intervention that proved crucial. Hurzeler expressed confidence in his team’s resilience, especially following a challenging 7-0 loss to Nottingham Forest earlier this month. Brighton’s recent form, which includes victories over Chelsea and Southampton, has revitalized their European ambitions.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola reflected positively on his team’s performance, despite the loss, stating, “We played as good as, if not better than, Brighton,” though acknowledging that finishing in critical moments was the difference in the match.

Both teams have their eyes set on European competition as the Premier League season approaches its final months. Brighton will look to carry their momentum into their next match against Fulham, while Bournemouth aims to bounce back from consecutive league defeats.