Bournemouth 1-2 Brighton: Joao Pedro shines as visitors secure victory despite Carlos Baleba's dismissal

Joao Pedro's brilliant goal and superb assist proved crucial as 10-player Brighton secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Bournemouth, propelling them up to fifth place in the Premier League standings.

The visitors, only outside of the top four on goal difference, had to survive a late onslaught after Carlos Baleba was sent off midway through the second half which led to David Brooks pulling a goal back for Bournemouth and Antoine Semenyo hitting the crossbar with the final kick.

Pedro made his first start since August and delivered again for Brighton having stuck the winner against Manchester City before the international break. He tapped home in just the fourth minute when Kepa Arrizabalaga parried Georginio Rutter's shot.

Bournemouth had already seen Semenyo shoot wide before Evanilson was denied by Bart Verbruggen and then Justin Kluivert wasted a good chance from close range.

The hosts thought they had equalised before the break when Semenyo released Kluivert in behind and he unselfishly squared for Evanilson to tap in, but the VAR confirmed the on-field decision to rule the goal out for offside.

Brighton, just like they did in the first half, scored their second only four minutes after the interval when Pedro played a wonderful, defence-splitting pass into the penalty area for Kaoru Mitoma to run onto and slot into the bottom corner.

Evanilson should have instantly equalised but side-footed wide although Bournemouth were given a lifeline when Baleba was shown a second yellow card for catching the sliding Milos Kerkez.

Bournemouth, though, struggled to break down Brighton until Brooks stabbed the ball into the top left corner in the 93rd minute. The visitors looked nervy for the first time and got lucky when Semenyo's left-footed volley crashed against the top of the woodwork.

More to follow.

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