We can’t compete in this league, groans De Zerbi

ROBERTO DE ZERBI offered a heartfelt apology to Brighton fans after their comprehensive defeat at Bournemouth extended a six-game winless run and all but ended their hopes of a second season of European football. Three days after their 4-0 humbling at the hands of Manchester City, the much-changed visitors were left playing catch-up after Marcos Senesi leapt to net the hosts’ opener in the 13th minute. Looking vulnerable at the back, Brighton conceded a second time through Enes Unal’s header seven minutes after half-time, and late on thanks to Justin Kluivert’s strike. The team, De Zerbi believes, is some way off the standard of the top flight. ‘Our best at this moment is not enough to compete in the Premier League,’ said the Italian. ‘Motivation in football is about 80 per cent of our work, and in my time (at the club) we have kept big challenges, big targets. ‘This moment, finishing the Europa League, and too many points from the European position, we are not working for that clear target. It’s normal, but I cannot accept it. I am really sorry. I am suffering a lot.’ The head coach stressed that he was not looking to give ‘an excuse’, but to highlight what had been lost amid a difficult end to the season. ‘We have to always play with soul, honour, and pride, and in a different way, because we are Brighton,’ he added. ‘I think we showed the pride, the honour and soul last season, and at the start of this season.’ While Brighton have plummeted as the season draws to a close, Bournemouth have enjoyed the reverse, breaking their record Premier League points total after a challenging start to their campaign. The hosts also equalled their best-ever home record with their sixth-consecutive win at the Vitality Stadium, and their manager Andoni Iraola was keen to praise his side’s ‘complete’ performance. ‘They deserve to arrive at this point,’ said Iraola. ‘The players have been growing into this season, and they are finishing very well.’

BOURNEMOUTH (4-2-3-1): Travers 7; Ouattara 6.5, Senesi 7 (Hill 90min), Kelly 6, Smith 7; Scott 7.5 (Aarons 77), Cook 7.5; Semenyo 7, Unal 7.5 (Christie 67, 7), KLUIVERT 8 (Sadi 90); Solanke 6.5. Scorers: Senesi 13, Unal 52, Kluivert 87. Booked: Senesi, Kluivert. Manager: Andoni Iraola 7. BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen 5; Gross 5, Igor 5 (Webster 74, 5), Dunk 6, Barco 6; Gilmour 6, O’Mahony 4.5 (Welbeck 45, 5); Offiah 6 (Veltman 74, 5), Buonanotte 6, Adingra 6 (Enciso 66, 6.5); Pedro 5.5 (Baleba 88). Booked: Gilmour, Barco. Manager: Roberto De Zerbi 5. Referee: Paul Tierney 5.5. Attendance: 11,188.