Charalampos Kostoulas’ stoppage-time stunner rescues Brighton

BRIGHTON: Brighton & Hove Albion’s Greek teenager Charalampos Kostoulas rescued his side with a 1-1 home draw against Bournemouth in a Premier League clash here at the American Express Stadium on Monday, scoring a superb overhead kick in stoppage time.

It looked as though a controversial first-half penalty by Marcus Tavernier had sealed Bournemouth's back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since August.

But substitute Kostoulas had other plans as he launched himself into a bicycle kick from Jan Paul van Hecke's knockdown and directed the ball past Djordje Petrovic.

Tavernier had already taken Bournemouth in front, at the position in the 32nd minute, when he had been informed by referee Paul Tierney that he could watch a VAR replay of an incident when he had initially booked the Bournemouth winger Amine Adli as he had dived.

But upon examination of the pitch-side monitor, he decided that goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen had actually struck Adli with his lifted leg trying to catch a pass into the field.

Brighton had begun well but lost their way, and Bournemouth might have extended their advantage with Evanilson striking the post and then heading a second opportunity just off target just before half-time.

A weary Bournemouth sank into deep waters later in the second half, but were unable to hang on to see out merely their second away win in the entire season in the Premier League.

Brighton stayed in 12th place in the standings with 30 points from 22 games, while Bournemouth is 15th with 27.