The Media Review: Bournemouth defeated, Joao Pedro shines

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Nick Szczepanik

2024-11-24T10:00+00:00

Not every Sunday paper could find someone willing to battle their way through Storm Bert to the Dorset coast, but those who did make it to the Vitality Stadium enjoyed what they saw from the Albion, and particularly Joao Pedro.

In The Mail on Sunday, Dominic Hogan wrote that “for 64 exceptional minutes, Joao Pedro was virtually untouchable, ghosting his way to a goal and an assist in Brighton’s 2-1 win over Bournemouth.

“Pedro was magnificent; silky back-heels, elusive runs and masterful passing - he was the key for Brighton, his pass for Kaoru Mitoma’s goal in particular a touch of genius.

Kaoru Mitoma makes it 2-0. 📷 by James Boardman.

“The Brazilian seemed to have more time on the ball than anyone on the pitch before making way after Carlos Baleba’s red card, cruelly robbing the Vitality Stadium of another half hour of magic.

“Not even the deluge could stymie Brighton’s irrepressible build-up play, and within four minutes they were ahead. Danny Welbeck, Pedro and Georginio Rutter were all involved before Kepa Arrizabalaga parried the latter’s strike into the path of Pedro to tap home.

“Bournemouth had their own chances, but after holding onto their lead, Brighton made another blistering start to the second half, and once again it was all about Pedro. The Brazilian seemed to have an age to pick his head up on the edge of the box and slide an inch-perfect pass behind the defence.

Albion's two goalscorers celebrate going 2-0 in front. 📷 by James Boardman.

“It arced perfectly into the path of Mitoma, who opened his body and caressed it into the bottom corner on 50 minutes.”

Tom Allnutt also waxed lyrical about Albion’s number nine in The Sunday Times, after noting that “Fabian Hurzeler won the battle of the division’s two most fancied young coaches.

“Pedro proved the difference for Brighton as the Brazilian finished off a slick move early in the first half while his assist for Kaoru Mitoma was a wonderful surgical pass. Pedro has now scored or assisted eight goals in his past nine games.

“Their opener was a superb goal involving a trio of one-twos, all of them involving Danny Welbeck, who traded with Pedro and then bounced the ball twice into Georginio Rutter, who let fly from distance. Kepa Arrizabalaga parried but only to Pedro, who had an easy tap-in.

“After scoring four minutes into the first half, Brighton then scored again four minutes into the second. Pedro made it, controlling with his studs and stopping on the edge of the Bournemouth area like he had all the time in the world. As he looked left, the Bournemouth defenders shifted that way too, but he passed straight, sliding a pass through four opponents for Mitoma to curl in.”

It would not be a visit to the Vitality without a sighting of regular Cherries-watcher Graham Nickless in the press box. His report for The Sun on Sunday this time referenced the conditions. “Forget Storm Bert, Bournemouth were hit by an early swarm of ravishing [surely “ravaging”?] Seagulls on the south coast,” he wrote.

“Just four minutes were on the clock and Albion were celebrating a goal for all seasons. The visitors put the wind up their hosts with an array of side flicks, back heels and one-twos.

“The slick show of attacking intent ended when Georginio Rutter took a return pass from Danny Welbeck and lashed in a shot. Cherries goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga could only push the ball out to Joao Pedro to net with ease at the back post.

04 Joao Pedro makes it two in two games.

“And once again Bert was outshone by the Albion who stormed 2-0 up just four minutes after the break. Pedro had the vision to pass the ball inside the full-back allowing Kaoru Mitoma to side-foot the ball past a stranded Arrizabalaga - and it was given after a VAR check for offside. The goal stunned the home supporters who normally see their heroes making brisk starts. Bournemouth saw plenty of the ball but their finishing was woefully short on the day.”

George Sessions of the Press Association reported for several outlets, including The Observer website. “Only four minutes had been played when a succession of quick passes resulted in Danny Welbeck teeing up Georginio Rutter, who forced Kepa Arrizabalaga into action from 25 yards and Pedro tapped home the rebound,” he wrote.

“Chelsea loanee Kepa had been culpable for a goal during the Cherries’ 3-2 loss at Brentford before the international break and perhaps could have parried Rutter’s shot into a safer area this time.

“It remained 1-0 at the break but not for long as Brighton grabbed a second in the 49th minute. More slick passes around the Bournemouth penalty area helped create space and Pedro sent Mitoma through to bend a shot into the bottom corner.

01 Albion take an early lead through Joao Pedro

“The goal sparked more chants of Europe from the Seagulls’ travelling faithful, but their task was made harder when Baleba received an unnecessary second yellow card after 59 minutes for a late tackle on Kerkez.”

On the BBC Sport website, Emily Salley wrote that “it was two moments of brilliance that separated the Seagulls from their hosts at a wet and windy Vitality Stadium.

“Pedro had missed the six league games before the win over City with an ankle injury, but he came off the bench to score the equaliser against Pep Guardiola's side before creating Matt O'Riley's 83rd-minute winner.

“And the Brazilian's lightning-quick return to form continued against Bournemouth as he brilliantly started and finished the move for Brighton's opener.

“Pedro linked up well with Danny Welbeck, cleverly flicking the ball on before a darting Rutter took aim and Arrizabalaga pushed the save straight into his feet.

“The 23-year-old, who was making his first Premier League start since late August, was central to Brighton's second goal too.

“He linked up with Rutter and Welbeck again before threading a delightful ball through Bournemouth's defence for Mitoma to run on to.”