Brighton have learnt their game management lesson

Before Brighton kicked off against Bournemouth, I made of a note of my prediction. 3-1 to the Albion in very, very hard-fought game.

My scoreline was out by one goal. But I was right about this being a tough 90 minutes for Brighton. Come the end though, the Albion had three vital points and we had all been tremendously entertained.

There was a bit of squeaky bum time in the second half as the Cherries came on strong. We have seen Brighton wilt under similar pressure multiple times earlier in the season.

Those lessons from blowing leads against Wolves and Leicester City appear to have really sunken in, however.

Fabian Hurzeler and the players showed brilliant game management to close it out. Something Carlos Baleba says they have been working on. Well, Mister Baleba, your hard work is paying off!

It did feel at times like Brighton were a wounded old boxer, up against the ropes. But stunning work by the back four and some exceptional Bart Verbruggen saves ensured the victory was earned.

No talk of the battle the Albion went through can be complete without a mention of Adam Webster. He has been brilliant as a player and a leader since blending back in after a long spell out injured.

Diego Gomez too impressed me on his full debut. His work rate and some of the passes he picked out have already marked him down as a great addition to the squad.

I arrived at the Amex early, just as the sun was setting over the South Downs. Taking my spot in the East Stand Upper as one of the first people inside the stadium meant I could soak up and watch the atmosphere build.

Close your eyes when the stadium is empty and you can hear the roars and chants from Albion successes over the years. Like ghosts. These trigger excellent memories for me.

You also get to see the preparation which goes into hosting a home game. Stewards getting into position. Coaches putting balls and cones out for the players to warm up. The odd seagull even swoops down in front of the lights. Always a sign of good luck, I feel.

The teams entered the pitch to a colourful pyrotechnic display, knowing this was a huge evening. Just four points separated fifth and 10th in the Premier League standings before kick off.

Bournemouth started on the front foot and Verbruggen made a very good save. Georginio Rutter put a header wide at the other end after a little batatelle in the Cherries box.

Then one of those fantastic balls from Gomez sent Kaoru Mitoma running in. Mitoma got a shot away which just narrowly missed the far post, preventing the scoreboard from changing.

An even better, more magical pass came next from Gomez into the path of Joao Pedro. Cherries goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga charged from his line, Pedro tumbled over and Michael Oliver pointed to the spot.

I flew out of my seat, supremely confident we would see some PPP in play. Standing for Pedro Penalty Perfection. Remember, you heard it here first!

Of course, Pedro converted. Bournemouth though keep fighting back and Verbruggen had to make a flying stop from Antonine Semenyo.

Brighton reached half time still leading 1-0. I knew the second half would be even more difficult. And so it proved with a bolt from the blue on 61 minutes.

Justin Kluivert cut inside from the East Stand flank and shot from what looked like a good 30 yards. It was as if the ball had been fired out of a rocket launcher as it flew into the top corner, faster than the speed of sound.

Hurzeler decided to make some changes to try and stop the Cherries dominating further. On came Danny Welbeck, Jack Hinshelwood and Yasin Ayari.

With what I think was his first touch four minutes later, Welbeck scored. A lovely flick from Rutter put Welbeck into space. His shot across Kepa hit the far post, spun and spun until eventually crossing the line.

Bournemouth’s desperation for three points was summed up when Kepa got the nod from Andoni Iraola to go for up a corner.

Kepa almost got on the end of it too. Brighton though survived, leaving a real sense of relief at the full time whistle.

BBC Sport Sussex posted on social media before the game: “Time for Albion to make a statement.”

I think we can all agree they certainly did that. Keep learning those lessons and Europe might be on the cards.

Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony