Mitoma shines in the 'south coast derby', Chelsea still unwatchable

A third successive Premier League victory for Brighton catapulted them into the top-three, as Roberto De Zerbi’s side came from behind to see off Bournemouth at the AMEX Stadium.

The Seagulls were looking to respond after a shock defeat on their Europa League debut against AEK Athens, but they were completely undone by Bournemouth’s tactical setup in the early stages. Andoni Iraola, whose Rayo Vallecano side won the ball in the final third more often than any team in Europe’s top five leagues last term, had his Cherries marking man-to-man, and a cat-and-mouse game was ensuing when Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen was in possession as he tried to entice the visitors to press. It was a game the Dutchman would lose in the 25th minute however, as he was caught on the ball by Ryan Christie outside his area, leaving Dominic Solanke with the simple task to score into an empty net.

De Zerbi’s men had produced very little to trouble Neto in the Bournemouth goal, but in first-half stoppage time, the Seagulls drew level in fortuitous circumstances. A hopeful Billy Gilmour cross from the left appeared harmless until Milos Kerkez, in his efforts to head clear, got the faintest touch on the ball and inadvertently directed it over his goalkeeper.

The Brighton boss made a double change at the break to try and transform his side’s attacking efforts, introducing wingers Ansu Fati and Kaoru Mitoma. Sensationally, within 15 seconds of the restart the substitutes had paid dividends as the pair combined with Mahmoud Dahoud to allow Mitoma to steer home and put the hosts ahead.

Chances were now flowing at both ends, and Fati missed a huge chance to double the hosts’ lead, moments before Ilya Zabarnyi headed over for the Cherries. The visitors simply had no answer for Mitoma though, who scored again 13 minutes from time to seal victory for Brighton. A teasing cross from Pervis Estupiñán was met by the arriving Japan international to steer a free header into the far corner.

Although Bournemouth continued to press forward, they weren’t able to get themselves back into the contest and as a result, slumped to a sixth consecutive league match without a win under new boss Iraola. They’re just two points clear of the drop zone and only above the newly-promoted sides, while Brighton continue to fly high and sit just three points adrift of leaders Manchester City after a third consecutive league win by a 3-1 scoreline.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa defended diligently to stifle a wasteful 10-man Chelsea as they snatched a narrow Premier League victory at Stamford Bridge - the 1-0 win is the narrowest winning margin in any of the Villans’ league games this season.

Some weekends, Darwin is a flop. But not today!

Coming into this fixture on the back of their worst five-game start to a Premier League campaign since 2015/16, Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea were under pressure to produce a result. The Blues started brightly, setting the tempo and taking the game to Villa, but as has so often been the case, the final product was proving elusive. During a half with little goalmouth action for the visitors, Lucas Digne came closest to netting with a long-range strike that required the attention of Robert Sánchez. A miscued Enzo Fernández effort from a promising position and an offside diving header from Axel Disasi perfectly encapsulated Chelsea’s first-half frustrations.

For every Saka, there's one Son: thrilling North London derby ends in a stalemate

The hosts picked up where they left off after the break, but chances from Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson went begging. Having found goals hard to come by since joining the London side, Jackson perhaps let his frustrations get the better of him, impeding a free-kick to earn a fifth yellow card of the season and an accompanying suspension. If that wasn’t enough headache for Pochettino, a red card for an overly forceful challenge from Malo Gusto left Chelsea in a pickle minutes later. That dismissal offered Villa some encouragement and they duly capitalised when Ollie Watkins fired in a low shot from a tight angle to record his first Premier League goal of the campaign.

With time ticking away, chances were coming thick and fast for both sides but Ben Chilwell, Disasi, and Moussa Diaby all squandered presentable opportunities when in behind. Ultimately, it was the same old story for Chelsea, who created plenty of openings with no end product, leaving them marooned in midtable. As for Villa, clinching all three points is the perfect tonic to a disappointing European defeat in midweek as they rise to sixth in the Premier League.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 6

Saturday

Luton - Wolverhampton 1-1 (0-0)

/Morris 65 pen - Neto 50/

Crystal Palace - Fulham 0-0

Manchester City - Nottingham Forest 2-0 (2-0)

/Foden 7, Haaland 14/

Brentford - Everton 1-3 (1-1)

/Jensen 28 - Doucoure 6, Tarkowski 67, Calvert-Lewin 71/

Burnley - Manchester United 0-1 (0-1)

/Fernandes 45/

Sunday

Arsenal - Tottenham 2-2 (1-1)

/Romero 26 og, Saka 54 pen- Son 42, 55/

Brighton - Bournemouth 3-1 (1-1)

/Kerkez 45+2, Mitoma 46, 77 - Solanke 25/

Liverpool - West Ham 3-1 (1-1)

/Salah 16 pen, Nunez 60, Jota 85 - Bowen 42/

Chelsea - Aston Villa 0-1 (0-0)

/Watkins 79/

18.30: (7.00) Sheffield Utd (4.30) Newcastle (1.48)

***odds are subject to change