Brighton 3-1 Bournemouth: Sub Kaoru Mitoma bags second-half brace after Milos Kerkez’s own goal as hosts come from behind to move up to third in the Premier League

• Kaoru Mitoma’s second-half double helped Brighton bounce back from Euro loss
• The Japan midfielder scored 15 seconds after coming on, then headed in a third 
• Mail Sport’s new WhatsApp Channel: Get the breaking news and exclusives here 

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi found the perfect cure for a European hangover just when he needed it most.

The Seagulls were sluggish after losing to AEK Athens on their Europa League bow on Thursday.

Calamity keeper Bart Verbruggen had gifted Dominic Solanke an easy opener for Bournemouth.

But even though Brighton drew level through a Milos Kerkez own goal, it wasn’t until after half time that the home side woke up.

They went ahead just 15 seconds after the break following an inspired double substitution from De Zerbi.

Kaoru Mitoma’s second-half double helped Brighton bounce back from Euro defeat

The Japan midfielder scored 15 seconds after coming on with a clinical finish

 Mitoma sealed come from behind win with deft header in the 77th minute on Sunday

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He sent on Karou Mitoma and Ansu Fati and the pair combined for the Japan star to put them in front.

And when Mitoma later grabbed his second of the game, De Zerbi jumped for joy and fist-pumped in celebration.

As promised, the Brighton boss rang the changes from midweek, making nine in all against winless Bournemouth.

The Cherries wanted an early penalty when a challenge from Pervis Estupinan sent Dominic Olanke tumbling in the box.

But referee John Brooks waved away the appeals, and the first half settled into a pattern of Bournemouth chasing Brighton shadows.

The hosts looked sluggish until Milos Kerkez’s own goal drew them level in first-half injury time

Bournemouth went ahead when Dominic Solanke capitalised on an error by Brighton keeper

That said, the Sussex side rarely laid a glove on their opponents, and they paid the price when the visitors grabbed a shock lead.

Bart Verbruggen, making his third Premier League start in goal, was caught napping on the ball on the edge of his own area.

And when Ryan Christie nicked the ball off his toes, Solanke was ready to pounce, curling home the opener into an empty net.

But while Brighton struggled to respond, they were gifted an equaliser just before the break.

Billy Gilmour swung in a routine cross but there was nothing Neto could do when Kerkez nodded it past him into his own net.

And when De Zerbi called for the cavalry after half time, it didn’t take long for the tide to turn.

Brighton defender Lewis Dunk cleared off his own line during a goalmouth scramble

Roberto De Zerbi’s moved up to third in the Premier League after beating Bournemouth

Both the subs were involved, with Mitoma starting the move and Ansu Fati combining with Mahmoud Dahoud to play him in.

Mitoma then produced an ice-cool finish to put Brighton in front, and the Seagulls were suddenly rampant.

Lewis Dunk and Fati both missed chances, but when Estupinan crossed for Mitoma, he made no mistake with his header.

Dunk cleared off his own line during a goalmouth scramble shortly afterwards but there was no way back for Bournemouth.

MATCH FACTS

Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen 5; Veltman 6, Webster 6, Dunk 7, Estupinan 7; Dahoud 6.5 (Baleba 74), Gilmour 6.5; Adingra 6, Buonanotte 5 (Mitoma 46, 8), Welbeck 5 (Pedro 63, 6); Ferguson 6.5 (Fati 46, 7).

Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Julio, March, Lallana

Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Neto 6; Aarons 6, Zabarnyi 5, Kelly 6 (Senesi 83), Kerkez 5; L Cook 6, Billing 6 (Brooks 82); Tavernier 6 (Outtara 64, 6), Christie 6.5 (Traore 82), Kluivert 6 (Semenyo 64, 6); Solanke 7.

Subs: Radu, Rothwell, Smith, Sinisterra,

Man of the Match: Karol Mitoma – changed the game

Referee: John Brooks 6

Attendance: 31,617

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