Bournemouth left the American Express Stadium with mixed feelings after Brighton snatched a 1-1 draw through a stunning late overhead kick from substitute Charalampos Kostoulas in the 91st minute, cancelling out Marcus Tavernier’s first-half penalty and extending Bournemouth’s problems with holding Premier League leads this season.
The result meant Bournemouth dropped more points from a winning position, having now surrendered 18 points after going ahead in league matches, which is more than any other Premier League club this season, adding further frustration to Andoni Iraola’s attempts to steer Bournemouth away from the lower reaches.
Tavernier had earlier put Bournemouth in front from the penalty spot on 32 minutes, after Amine Adli initially received a yellow card for simulation when going down under a challenge from Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, only for VAR to intervene and persuade the referee to award a spot-kick instead of a booking.
Iraola’s players managed that first half with authority, limiting Brighton’s threat and creating chances of their own, as Bournemouth controlled long spells and looked composed, which led Iraola to state: “We played a really good first half and had our chances, we scored one, and we were controlling the game.”
Brighton responded strongly after half-time, with the hosts dominating territory and possession as Bournemouth dropped deeper and struggled to maintain the earlier tempo, a shift Iraola linked to fatigue against fresh Brighton substitutes, which allowed the home side to dictate play as the second period wore on.
Across that second half, Brighton saw far more of the ball and kept Bournemouth pinned back, finishing with clear statistical control of the contest, as shown by their possession share and shot count compared with the visitors, who failed to register a shot on target after the break.
Iraola reflected that the physical demands eventually told on Bournemouth, explaining: “In the second half, we didn’t have the energy to keep these intensity levels, and we had to defend a little bit lower, especially after the Brighton subs, but we were doing well.”
The head coach felt the late equaliser was almost impossible to defend, saying: “At the end, it is an incredible goal from Kostoulas. I have seen the goal, and it is very difficult to blame the players.” Bournemouth had Marcos Senesi tracking the cross, yet the finish still beat everyone.
Iraola expanded on that moment further, adding: “We had [Marcos] Senesi in front of him, but it is a bicycle kick, into the top corner. It’s incredible.” He also admitted analysis offered few answers, saying: “Looking at the replay, I was trying to see what we could do better, but it is impossible.”
The match extended a difficult league sequence for Bournemouth, who have now won only one of their last 13 Premier League fixtures, drawing five and losing seven, while also suffering FA Cup elimination against Newcastle United on penalties following a 3-3 draw, having again let a strong position slip.
Discussing Bournemouth’s overall approach without the ball, Iraola said: “We had to defend deep and compact, and as we did in the first half, you have to come together a bit more,” before stressing the importance of basics: “You know you are probably going to concede some set-pieces, and you have to do the basics and defend your box.”
Iraola noted a pattern in recent performances, commenting: “Lately, we have been very close to winning, and in difficult stadiums, for example, against Newcastle in the cup, then we lose on penalties.” Bournemouth again came away feeling short-changed after leading for so long yet failing to close out victory.
The Bournemouth head coach summed up the mood by admitting expectations had shifted as the match developed, saying: “Maybe before the game, you say one point is good, Brighton away is a difficult place, but seeing how the game has evolved, we might not think it is good for us.” Bournemouth now face further questions about game management.