Fabian Hürzeler laughs off Europe talk as 10-man Brighton rock Bournemouth

Fabian Hürzeler is happy for Brighton fans to continue to sing about Europe after they moved up to fifth in the Premier League with a 2-1 win at Bournemouth. Brighton were in cruise control after João Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma struck at the start of each half before Carlos Baleba’s 59th-minute red card threatened to shift the momentum.

The Bournemouth substitute David Brooks reduced the deficit in the third minute of stoppage time and in the end Brighton were relieved to see Antoine Semenyo smash an effort against the bar five minutes later as the visitors held on for a fourth triumph in six league games.

With the away following repeatedly chanting about qualifying for European football again amid wet and windy conditions, Hürzeler was in no mood to dampen expectations.

“I don’t listen so they can sing what they want,” Hürzeler said. “I didn’t hear it. I was focused on the game, but I think it is always important to make the supporters proud because in the end they pay a lot of money, they spend a lot of time to support us and it’s our responsibility to give them something back.

“It’s not always about winning, it’s more like, how do you represent the colours? For what values are you standing? And that’s important for me because you can’t win every game.”

João Pedro’s fourth-minute opener was an ideal start for Brighton. Danny Welbeck had exchanged passes with Georginio Rutter, who forced Kepa Arrizabalaga into action from 25 yards and the Brazilian tapped home the loose ball.

Bournemouth attempted to respond and Evanilson had a goal ruled out for offside three minutes before half-time, but it was soon 2-0. More slick passing around the home penalty area created space and João Pedro sent Mitoma through to bend a shot into the bottom corner after 49 minutes.

Hürzeler lavished praise on João Pedro, who had scored the equaliser in the win against Manchester City last time out. “In possession he is unbelievable,” Hürzeler said. “He makes the difference for us today. It’s also very important to see how he works against the ball. He invests a lot out of possession. He does a lot of work in the shadow and the work that is unseen. That’s why it is very good to have him as a leader on the pitch.”

Brighton had a nervier than expected finish after Baleba’s second yellow card for a late tackle on Milos Kerkez in the 59th minute, but they held on as a poked effort by Brooks was followed by a rasping volley from Semenyo which hit the bar.

“It can’t be a second yellow card,” Hürzeler said on Baleba’s sending‑off. “It was not our best football game, but when we see it from a different perspective, we really worked hard. We stick together, we stick to our defensive principles and we suffered together.”

Andoni Iraola was philosophical after a second straight loss following a narrow 3-2 defeat at Brentford a fortnight ago. The Bournemouth manager said: “It has been a game of small margins. Probably I will check the stats and in the stats we look better than them, but at the end they made the difference because they’ve been more clinical.

“We could have taken and should deserve more from today, yes, but it happens again. When it happens at least two times in a row you need to improve things.”