Kostoulas overhead kick earns Brighton point against Bournemouth

Brighton teenager Charalampos Kostoulas scored a stunning overhead kick to deny Bournemouth a rare away victory in the Premier League.

Marcus Tavernier thought his first-half penalty – awarded after an intervention from the video assistant referee – had earned the Cherries only a second away victory of the Premier League season.

But 18-year-old Kostoulas netted in the 91st minute to steal a share of the points for the hosts.

Brighton made a fast start on home soil and wasted no time in testing Djordje Petrovic with efforts from Ferdi Kadioglu, Brajan Gruda and Jack Hinshelwood.

However, it was the Cherries who broke the deadlock in the 32nd-minute when Tavernier squeezed his penalty past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

After a lightning-quick counter-attack, led by the Englishman, Bournemouth were belatedly awarded the spot-kick after Amine Adli was clipped by the right foot of goalkeeper.

The forward was originally shown a yellow card for simulation but that was rescinded and a penalty was awarded after referee Paul Tierney reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor.

Record signing Evanilson went close to doubling his side’s lead seven minutes before half-time when he clipped the post – as he chased a third goal in as many Premier League games.

Brighton dominated possession in the second half and upped the ante when Yankuba Minteh, Carlos Baleba and Georginio Rutter were introduced in the 66th minute.

And in the second of eight added minutes, substitute Kostoulas netted spectacularly to deny Bournemouth a first Premier League away victory since August.

The draws means both sides stay where they were in the Premier League table – Brighton in 12th and Bournemouth in 15th.

Before the game, head coach Fabian Hurzeler said Brighton would need to treat their remaining Premier League games as “finals” if they were to qualify for Europe.

Although the German’s comment was slightly hyperbolic, he will be delighted with his side’s spirit after the Seagulls battled until the 91st minute to extend their unbeaten run across all competitions to five games.

The point keeps Brighton within touching reach of Chelsea, who currently occupy the Premier League’s sixth and final European slot, before favourable match-ups against Fulham, Everton and Crystal Palace.

The club’s quest to qualify for Europe for only the second time will be boosted by the returns of Yankuba Minteh and Carlos Baleba, two players crucial to Hurzeler’s plans and absent from recent Premier League matches.

Prior to Minteh’s introduction, Brighton looked out of sorts and failed to really test Djordje Petrovic between the sticks

In a game of few chances, it was the Gambia international who, prior to Charalampos Kostoulas’ equaliser, provided the spark for his side.

In the end, a point flattered Brighton after a lacklustre performance Hurzeler wouldn’t have seen coming when he issued a battle cry to his side at the end of last week.

But Brighton’s refusal to accept defeat could prove valuable come the business end of the season – and that alone will please Hurzeler.

If there were Bournemouth fans fearing the worst when talisman Antoine Semenyo left the club to join Manchester City earlier this month, this performance from the Cherries is proof that there is still a lot to be optimistic about on the south coast.

In his side’s first Premier League outing since the forward’s £65m transfer to Etihad Stadium, Andoni Iraola handed Adli only his fourth Premier League start since joining from Bayer Leverkusen last August.

The Morocco international was lively throughout the night and was able to earn his side a penalty with his speed and willingness to break into the box during the first half.

On the other flank, the skill and trickery of Eli Junior Kroupi, one of the breakout stars of the Premier League season, although not at his scintillating best, served as another reminded that Bournemouth still possess plenty of quality in attack.

But the sight of goalscorer Tavernier being replaced by veteran full-back Adam Smith in the 71st minute was a sobering reminder that Bournemouth are short on quantity – and are in urgent need of attacking reinforcements before the transfer window closes on 2 February.

Tavernier departed the pitch at the same time as Kroupi and from there, only Brighton looked like scoring.

It was a disappointing way for Bournemouth’s night to end after an impressive performance on the road.

But after Iraola called for more players to be added to his squad this month, he could use this match as evidence to present to the club’s board to back up his point.

Brighton are next in action against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday, 24 January (15:00 GMT).

Bournemouth, meanwhile, welcome Liverpool to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, 24 January (17:30).