Bournemouth 0-2 Brighton: Steele and Caicedo shine in ratings
It says a lot about the Albion’s performance at the Vitality Stadium that goalkeeper Jason Steele and defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo shared top billing in the Bournemouth 0-2 Brighton player ratings.
The Seagulls were not at their best and had to survive a fair amount of pressure from their relegation threatened hosts.
Roberto De Zerbi said before the game that he felt Brighton could win even if they played at only 90 percent. In the end, the Albion’s performance was below that and yet they still came away with the three points.
Steele and Caicedo played major parts in helping them do so, with the result being a first win away against the Cherries for 17 years.
Not only did victory end a long-standing hoodoo in Dorset, but if left Brighton four points off Spurs in fourth spot with two games in hand.
If the Albion do achieve the remarkable and qualify for the Champions League, then this night will be looked back on at the end of the the season as being huge.
Here are your Bournemouth 0-2 Brighton player ratings.
JASON STEELE – 8.09
Three first half saves in quick succession were vital. His best stop came after the break when tipping over a Jefferson Lerma volley at full stretch. He commanded his box in exemplary fashion and his passing out from the back was spot. Just a superb evening all round for the Albion’s Man of Steele.
Joel Veltman – 6.55
Solid defensively and got forward when he could. The only black mark against his name was when he decided to go for goal in the second half when a pass to Alexis Mac Allister was quite clearly the better option.
Adam Webster – 6.55
Returned to the starting XI in place of Levi Colwill. Passing could have been crisper but he did make one important flying block in the first half to prevent Hamed Traore converting the rebound from one of those Steele saves.
Lewis Dunk – 6.91
Much improved after having something of a nightmare in the 3-3 draw with Brentford. Won his battle with Dominic Solanke and played a part in the opening goal with a perfectly weighted chip up the line which sent Pervis Estupinan beyond the Bournemouth defence.
Pervis Estupinan – 6.73
Cherries winger Dango Ouattara not only has an incredible name but is also a rather dangerous opponent. He was well marshall by Estupinan, who also managed to support Kaoru Mitoma on the overlap frequently.
Pascal Gross – 7.00
The pass fizzed through the eye of a needle into the feet of Julio Enciso for the second goal was out of this world. Der Kaiser did not plenty more scheming besides his assist and drew a fine save on the volley from Neto.
MOISES CAICEDO – 8.09
He is certainly going the correct way about convincing one of the biggest clubs in Europe to meet Brighton’s valuation this summer. Another unreal performance in which he protected the defence and remained unflustered, despite Bournemouth’s effective tactics of preventing the Albion being as controlled and dominant in possession as De Zerbi would have liked.
Solly March – 6.55
The Cherries double marked him which meant he was unable to have as much influence than normal. Still might have set up a goal, mind, when feeding Evan Ferguson for a good chance the teenager ballooned over the bar.
Alexis Mac Allister – 7.18
Mac Allister was his usual effective self in the number 10 role. With Bournemouth doing their best to cut out Brighton passes, he took the opportunity to showcase some of his dazzling footwork and ability to drive forward with the ball.
Kaoru Mitoma – 7.27
The assist for Ferguson’s opener made it seven games in a row in which Mitoma has had a goal involvement. Everyone is talking about Ferguson’s finish (with good reason) but the pass drilled into space was almost as impressive.
Evan Ferguson – 7.91
What a goal from the teenager. Facing away from Neto, nothing seemingly on and he produces the most deft and controlled of back heels which catches everyone out as it nestles into the bottom corner. Might have done better with the chance March created in the second half but it would be nit picking to criticise after the quality of his finish.
Julio Enciso – 8.00
Pushed Steele and Caicedo close for top spot in the Bournemouth 0-2 Brighton ratings. Seems to have improved physically and with his decision making over the international break. His first goal in Albion colours was a case in point; lovely control, a clever piece of skill to put Illia Zabarnyi on the ground followed by passing the ball into the unguarded section of Neto’s net.
Danny Welbeck – 6.82
Brighton were under the cosh before his arrival. Dat Guy offered more of a focal point to the attack, helping the Albion regain control which paved the way for Enciso to wrap things up.
Yasin Ayari – 6.91
De Zerbi must have real confidence in the Swedish teenager to chuck him on with the Albion defending a slender lead in a must-win game. Looked calm and assured; good news as he may well be playing more frequently over the next two months as the games come thick and fast.
The WAB Player Ratings are formulated using marks out of 10 given by Brighton fans via Twitter. To have your scores included, follow We Are Brighton on Twitter and look out for the player rating thread after each game.
