Evan Ferguson seems to be destined to play within the Champions League quicker slightly than later, however will it’s with Brighton? A shocking backheel end from the 18-year-old Ireland global – his fourth league function of a memorable first complete season – and a past due strike from some other youngster, the bogus Julio Enciso, enabled Roberto De Zerbi’s facet to conquer a spirited Bournemouth effort and transfer to inside putting distance of the highest 4.
Just 4 issues now separate Brighton from Tottenham – who’ve performed two extra video games – and if Ferguson can care for this type of shape then De Zerbi they are able to make it a season to keep in mind regardless of the abrupt departure of Graham Potter to Chelsea in September. For Gary O’Neil, whose facet to find themselves again within the backside 3 after losing a hatful of possibilities, it was once a harsh lesson from which they should be informed temporarily.
Bournemouth’s revival since shedding 5 successive fits in all competitions on the flip of the yr has been constructed on a very good house report that has incorporated victories towards Fulham and Liverpool of their closing two fits right here. Not for the reason that days of Eddie Howe in February 2018 had they made it 3, with Brighton most likely providing the sternest check of the lot given their contemporary shape.
In distinction to the affected person way that turned into their mantra beneath De Zerbi’s facet racked up their fiftieth league function of the season within the first part – the fourth absolute best within the department – and glance not off course for the membership’s easiest league end with an FA Cup semi -final to come back as smartly. Yet previously De Zerbi can have been absolutely conscious about the risk Bournemouth may just pose to his facet after Brighton’s slender 1-0 victory on the Amex Stadium in February courtesy of Kaoru Mitoma’s header 3 mins from full-time and it was once the hosts who began at the entrance foot. Jack Stephens headed extensive from a nook ahead of a second of hesitation from Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele virtually proved deadly.
Ferguson overlooked Brighton’s exciting draw towards Brentford on the weekend because of damage however provides such a lot to their assault when he’s at the pitch. The opening function illustrated simply what an exhilarating prospect {the teenager} from Bettystown is after Lewis Dunk had arrange the transfer with a super via ball. Mitoma’s cutback was once simply at the back of Ferguson however he spun and backheeled the ball in a single movement to depart Neto with out a probability of forestalling it.
Bournemouth answered by way of piling the force on Steele however he proved equivalent to a fierce power from shut vary to disclaim Dominic Solanke. Hamed Traorè then fluffed a golden alternative to equalize when he poked extensive after being arrange by way of Jefferson Lerma ahead of Adam Webster blocked the Ivory Coast midfielder’s effort at the line when a function appeared the one result.
There was once a being worried second for Brighton when Alexis MacAllister required remedy for a calf damage however De Zerbi regarded relieved when the Argentina World Cup big name hobbled again into the fray. Ferguson scored on his complete debut for the Republic of Ireland towards Latvia closing month and was once inches clear of doubling his tally initially of the second one part when he curled simply extensive. But it was once Bournemouth who persevered to mount the larger risk as first Solanke did not hit the objective from shut vary after a pass from Dango Ouattara was once deflected ahead of Steele tipped over a dipping volley from Lerma.
With Solly March and Mitoma at all times a risk at the wreck, then again, Ferguson overlooked the danger to present his facet some respiring house after the England hopeful picked him out at the fringe of the six-yard field and he blazed over. At the opposite finish, Ouattara may just now not consider his success after inadvertently diverting Solanke’s goalbound shot over the crossbar.
Only a super save from Neto stored Bournemouth within the sport after Pervis Estupiñan’s cutback discovered Pascal Gross ahead of Moisés Caicedo needed to be withdrawn after receiving long remedy. Another fast wreck involving Mitoma and March will have rounded issues off in taste had it now not been for some other superb save from the Brazilian ahead of Paraguayan 19-year-old Enciso danced his manner via Bournemouth’s protection in stoppage time to attain his first function since becoming a member of closing summer season, to the pleasure of the touring supporters. They will have masses extra journeys to plot quickly.