Kaoru Mitoma steals in at the death as Brighton welcome Moises Caicedo in from the cold

Kaoru Mitoma scores - Reuters/Peter Cziborra
Kaoru Mitoma scores - Reuters/Peter Cziborra
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Kaoru Mitoma scored for the third game in a row to provide Brighton with a late winner which strengthens their push for a European place.

Just as an entertaining goalless draw was petering out, the Japanese winger headed in at the near post to leave Brighton just two points behind Tottenham in fifth and extend their unbeaten run to six games.

There was even a welcome return to the side for Moises Caicedo, who was greeted with a rapturous applause as he came off the bench for the final third of the game.

It would have been a strange build-up for Caicedo, Brighton’s Ecuadorian midfielder who was the subject of big-money interest from Chelsea and Arsenal in the January transfer window.

After taking to Instagram to express his desire to leave, the 21 year-old was then placed on gardening leave and missed the FA Cup win over Liverpool but returned to the bench here. When he left it to warm-up during the first half, he was greeted hospitably by the home crowd.

Brighton's Moises Caicedo - Zac Goodwin/PA
Brighton's Moises Caicedo - Zac Goodwin/PA

Brighton posed an early threat. Danny Welbeck was adjudged to have fouled the Bournemouth goalkeeper, Neto, before the ball dropped dangerously in the penalty area and moments later the Brazilian goalkeeper raced off his line to deny Deniz Undav after an incisive counter attack from De Zerbi’s side.

Neto was again involved in the next moment of drama as he inexplicably passed the ball straight to Undav who was first denied by Chris Mepham’s block, then a save from Neto and finally by the near post as the Cherries somehow survived.

With an attack including new signings Dango Ouattara, Hamed Traore and Antoine Semenyo, Bournemouth were packed with pace and looked a threat when winning the ball back in Brighton’s half.

Jaidon Anthony got in down the left and pulled back for Jefferson Lerma who shot wide as he slid in to meet the cross.

Under Bill Foley’s new ownership, Bournemouth spent more than £50 million on six new players in January, providing O’Neil with plenty of squad depth for his battle against relegation.

On the break, they were attacking with real verve and, after surviving a spell of home pressure, Anthony was only prevented from opening the scoring by a superb last-ditch tackle from Joel Veltman.

This was an entertaining game and Brighton perhaps ought to have taken the lead before half time as Solly March found Welbeck with a cross but he directed his free header tamely at Neto. Then, with the last attack of the half, Welbeck got a toe to Undav’s low cross but the ball went wide of the far post.

Seconds into the second half, Bournemouth were then guilty of wasting an excellent chance when Ouattara headed over at the far post after being set up by Jordan Zemura’s clever run and cross.

Brighton and Hove Albion's Pervis Estupinan (right) and Bournemouth's Dango Ouattara battle for the ball - Zac Goodwin/PA
Brighton and Hove Albion's Pervis Estupinan (right) and Bournemouth's Dango Ouattara battle for the ball - Zac Goodwin/PA

Just before the hour mark, Caicedo made his return, replacing Billy Gilmour who had just shot into the side netting. Brighton are a forgiving bunch as they reserved the loudest roar of the afternoon for his arrival.

Brighton were more dominant in the second half but a rare break forward saw Semenyo almost go clear for Bournemouth. His shot was superbly blocked by the recovering Pervis Estupinan with Anthony left screaming for the pass.

Mitoma had been quiet but came to life in the game’s final moments. Firstly he combined well with March down the left and was denied by the onrushing Neto.

But in the next minute, he began a move which ended with Jeremy Sarmiento crossing to the near post for him to head in the winner via a hand from the despairing Neto.