EVAN FERGUSON looks like a striker destined for the Champions League – and he might just fire Brighton there.
The 18-year-old looks full of confidence and dumped Bournemouth back into the bottom three with an inspired finish on a night that showed the true value of a natural goalscorer.
Bournemouth will have confidence they can get back out based on the fight showed here, though it was in vain as sub Julio Enciso killed off any comeback with his first Albion goal in added time.
Brighton’s success this season, which sees them still truly in the hunt for a top four place, has been built on collective effort – a well-oiled machine.
But with that not quite running smoothly here in the face of a bruising Bournemouth side, it was composure and calm finishing that got them through.
Ferguson is somewhat of a throwback striker, a towering figure for his age who can do a bit of everything.
Back in the starting XI after picking up a knock on international duty, the youngster was battling defenders, winning headers and then showing a superb touch in the six-yard box to open the scoring.
Captain Dunk had them in behind Bournemouth with a superb outside of the boot ball down the left flank.
Pervis Estupinan picked things up but saw his cross pushed back to the feet of Kaoru Mitoma.
The Japan international sent a low ball into Ferguson, who clipped into the far corner with a cool backheel – showing the composure and nous of a centre forward ten years his senior.
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It was the sort of clinical touch Gary O’Neil would love to have seen on display from Hamed Traore.
The midfielder, wonderfully played through one-on-one by Jefferson Lerma, somehow managed to prod the ball wide from ten yards.
Jason Steele had got away with one, but the Seagulls stopper was sharp when tested either side of Traore’s sitter by Dominic Solanke, palming away two powerful strikes.
The second effort fell back to Traore, who was denied his redemption by Adam Webster throwing himself in front of goal.
There was no let up after the break, Solanke firing agonisingly over at the far post before his own looping cross almost snuck in.
They were certainly keeping Steele busy, Lerma’s dipping volley needing to be tipped over his bar.
The energy and endeavour from a side scrapping at the bottom had the home support bouncing and is why, regardless of this result, there is plenty of hope here that they can end the season above the dotted line.
Ferguson was doing his best to give Brighton a more comfortable cushion to ride out Bournemouth’s pressure on, but turned Solly March’s cross agonisingly over the bar.
Still in it, O’Neil’s side refused to give up. Neto made fine saves from Pascal Gross and Danny Welbeck, but things were not falling their way at the other end – Solanke’s close range effort sent over the bar by the back of Dango Outtara’s head.
Just as hope was building after six minutes of added time had been indicated, sub Enciso put the nail in the coffin.
Moments after flaring up in the face of Jack Stephens, the Paraguayan kept a cool head to slot past Neto after a fine ball from Gross.
Here is how the match unfolded…
