Bournemouth 3-0 Brighton: Top-half Cherries down reeling Seagulls

Enes Unal had a goal and an assist as Bournemouth handled Brighton 3-0 at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday.

Marcos Senesi and Justin Kluivert also scored for the Cherries, who move 10th on the Premier League table with 48 points.

Brighton’s poor run-in continues, as the Seagulls are winless in their last six Premier League outings (2D-4L) and have sunk to 12th with 44 points.

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Both sides have seen dramatic changes to their positioning and perception since the start of the season, when Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth project took a long time to get off the ground and Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls were soaring domestically and in Europe.

Cherries not done while Brighton playing worrisome

It’s not a great sign for Brighton what’s happened under Roberto De Zerbi since exiting Europe and going to the international break on March 14. The Seagulls have not won in six matches and also drew relegation-struggling Brentford and Burnley, now losing Sunday in a significant way. The fact that Brighton have not been able to muster spirit has been alarming, and their status as xG darlings has fallen in a big way. The long-term injuries to Kaoru Mitoma and Solly March affected the side, as have more recent problems for Evan Ferguson and Pervis Estupinan, but it still should look much better.

Bournemouth have not quit at all under Andoni Iraola and there’s a hunger about the way this team attacks games. The Cherries have quietly grown their open play numbers and they’ve had back luck when it comes to goals produced below xG and conceded above xGA. They, too, were missing players today in Tyler Adams, the suspended Milos Kerkez, dangerous Luis Sinisterra, and sneaky important Marcus Tavernier. It was not an issue, and Iraola looks one of the rising stars in Premier League management.

Bournemouth go to Arsenal at 7:30am ET Saturday, while Brighton host Villa at 9am the following day.

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Justin Kluivert drives toward goal, cutting past Lewis Dunk and curling home for 3-0.

He’s been very dangerous, and now he’s got his goal.

Enes Unal gets on the end of Dango Ouattara’s desperation chopped cross from the left corner, nodding into the goal with power.

The lead is about right given the danger produced between the sides, which is remarkable because the Seagulls have flirted with 75% possession.

Eleven total shot attempts — six for the hosts, with 0.80 of their 1.10 first-half xG coming off of set pieces according to fotmob.

Brighton left a wealth of talent on the bench on account of Thursday’s losing effort versus Manchester City, but Roberto De Zerbi may look to names like Fati, Baleba, Welbeck, Moder, Veltman, Lallana, or Enciso in the second half. Center back Adam Webster and keeper Jason Steele are less likely options given the score but options.

2-0 is a foot away as Bournemouth turnover Brighton deep in their end.

It’s Alex Scott, who drives into the box and sets up Enes Unal. The Turkish star’s low strike misses the goal by inches.

Bournemouth have another chance within minutes that flashes clear of the goal.

Brighton teen Mark O’Mahony tries his luck with a very difficult turn and fire after the Seagulls win two 50/50s.

His bounding shot worries Mark Travers, but makes its way wide of the goal.

Marcos Senesi gets on the end of a corner kick, bulling his way into the six to nod home.

The corner came on a likely offside chance that led to Lewis Dunk snapping the ball out of play, and Brighton won’t like that.