Wilson hits jackpot in the pinball lottery as Bournemouth’s late tilt steals a point
we saw the most shots in any Premier League match this season and an early candidate for the 2018 scrappiest goal award. Not that eddie Howe will care how they go in. Bournemouth were heading for a 2-1 defeat by Brighton when an almighty scramble saved their skin. Jordon Ibe’s corner clattered into a collection of defenders as a series of shots and botched clearances made Brighton’s box look like a pinball machine. Finally, the ball bobbled off Callum wilson’s leg and trickled over the line, seemingly in slow motion. They all count. ‘It wasn’t one for the purists, was it?’ said Howe. ‘But we’ll take that. I can’t remember too much about it. It was a mass of bodies, hacked clearances and Callum claiming the goal. He was in the right place at the right time.’ This was an absorbing first fixture of the new year with 42 shots in total. It finished 2-2 but could have been 5-5 were it not for the goalkeepers working overtime. Brighton took the lead inside five minutes through anthony Knockaert before that goal was cancelled out by their former academy graduate steve Cook. Glenn Murray put the home side back in front three minutes into the second half but wilson’s scruffy strike squared it up again. It denied Chris Hughton an anniversary win as the manager celebrated three years in charge at Brighton. appointed on December 31, 2014, when the club were 21st in the Championship, he has taken them to mid-table in the Premier League. ‘My feeling is it is two points dropped,’ said Hughton. ‘I’m hugely disappointed.’ Knockaert had steered his shot home from the tightest of angles to open the scoring. The goal was
timed at four minutes and 32 seconds — the club’s fastest in the Premier League. The visitors hit back. Ibe turned his marker and sprinted into space before firing a shot from distance that forced Mathew Ryan into a diving save. A header by Cook was then cleared by Markus Suttner and Bournemouth scored from the resulting corner. Ibe crossed and Cook sent a looping header in off the underside of the bar. Just as they had in the first half, Brighton caught Bournemouth napping at the start of the second. There were 48 minutes on the clock when Jose Izquierdo slid the ball across unselfishly for Murray to take a touch and score. And with 20 minutes to go, Brighton should have sealed the win when Izquierdo stole the ball and ran the length of the pitch. One on one with Begovic, he took a touch too many and failed to finish. Ibe was at the heart of Bournemouth’s best attacks, meanwhile. Superb footwork by the 22-year-old saw him sidestep two Brighton players and strike a post, before the ball hit Ryan to go out for a corner. The visitors were beginning to think it would not be their day, but then came the pinball equaliser. Ibe’s corner led to claims of handball against Lewis Dunk, a shot by Charlie Daniels and two attempted clearances which were blocked by Adam Smith. Wilson, seemingly unknowingly, stabbed home and a fine contest finished all square. BRIGHTON (4-4-1-1): Ryan 7.5; Schelotto 7 (Bruno 77), Duffy 6.5, Dunk 6.5, Suttner 7; Knockaert 7.5, Stephens 7, Propper 7, IZQUIERDO 8; Gross 7.5 (Brown 88); Murray 7. Subs not used: Krul, Kayal, Hemed, Goldson, March. Scorers: Knockaert 5, Murray 48. Booked: Propper, Murray. Manager: Chris Hughton 6.5. BOURNEMOUTH (4-4-2): Begovic 7.5; Smith 7, Francis 7, Cook 7, Daniels 6.5; Ibe 7.5, Cook 6.5, Arter 6.5 (Gosling 71, 6), Pugh 7 (Ake 60, 6); Afobe 6.5 (Mousset 66, 6), Wilson 7. Subs not used: Boruc, Surman, Butcher, Simpson. Scorers: Cook 33, Wilson 79. Booked: Francis. Manager: Eddie Howe 6.5. Referee: Michael Oliver 6. Attendance: 30,152.