Sussex

Adam Millington
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Losing two players and conceding so early in the game was a definite knock for Brighton, who struggled to get going for far too long and did not manage to maintain any periods of momentum.

They were dangerous for short bursts after the restart and managed to equalise, but Bournemouth always seemed in control and the more likely victors.

The second-half penalty typified their shortcomings as Lewis Dunk misplaced a pass to allow the Cherries to counter and Jan Paul van Hecke unnecessarily placed his leg in a position where Evanilson could easily draw a foul.

There were some elements which will please manager Fabian Hurzeler, such as the tireless work of winger Yankuba Minteh, but clear positives were few and far between.

Having to make two early substitutions prevented the quadruple change which proved so effective in their 2-1 win against Manchester City, and they were unable to turn things around this time.

The Seagulls were not fluid enough, lacked sharpness and just were not as lively as their opponents.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's defeat by Bournemouth: "I think we don't have to lose this game. We controlled the game quite well, we had chances, the first goal was unlucky when we had 10 men on the pitch. The second goal was an easy mistake. It feels disappointing but we have to show a reaction."

On Jack Hinshelwood and Maxim De Cuyper's injuries: "I didn't see them yet so I have to watch it back. Hopefully not the worst but it's an adversity that we have to face. The team reacted in a good way."

On Antoine Semenyo's shove on Maxim De Cuyper: "I heard the thoughts but sometimes it's better to say nothing."

You don't want to get in trouble?: "No."

On Brighton's away form: "We can't be happy but we have to keep on going, focus on our performances and then results will come."

Did you know?

• Kaoru Mitoma has been directly involved in six goals across six Premier League appearances against Bournemouth (five goals, one assist) - which is twice as many involvements than he has managed against any other opponent in the top-flight.

Hear more from Hurzeler on BBC Sounds

Hear from Veltman

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Jason Ayto has agreed to become the new Brighton sporting director, replacing David Weir, who left the club on Friday.

The confirmation of former Arsenal executive Ayto's appointment will arrive in next few days.

Ayto left north London earlier this year following the appointment of Andrea Berta as the club's sporting director.

The ex-Gunners administrator had risen to the position of Arsenal's acting sporting director and played a key role in a number of the club's most high profile transfers in recent years.

But he will now take on a new position at the Amex Stadium following Weir's departure.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Bournemouth's performance

What did you make of Brighton's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Valjko Milosavljevic, who joined Bournemotuh on transfer deadline day, makes his first appearance as the Cherries make two changes from the side who beat Tottenham 1-0 before the international break.

James Hill also comes into the starting line-up, while Bafoda Diakite and Adam Smith are absent.

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Truffert, Senesi, Brooks, Scott, Evanilson, Adams, Tavernier, Hill, Semenyo, Milosavljevic.

Subs: Dannis, Araujo, Cook, Soler, Gannon-Doak, Kluivert, Jimenez, Adli, Kroupi.

There are also two changes for Brighton, who beat Manchester City 2-1 in their last Premier League match.

James Milner, who scored a penalty in that victory, comes into the starting XI, as does forward Georginio Rutter.

Carlos Baleba drops to the bench, while Diego Gomez is absent.

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Dunk, Van Hecke, Rutter, Minteh, Hinshelwood, Welbeck, Milner, Mitoma, De Cuyper, Veltman.

Subs: Steele, Gruda, Tzimas, Watson, Baleba, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Ayari, Coppola.

There are eight games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Arsenal v Nottingham Forest (12:30)

• Bournemouth v Brighton

• Crystal Palace v Sunderland

• Everton v Aston Villa - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Fulham v Leeds United

• Newcastle v Wolves - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• West Ham v Tottenham (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Brentford v Chelsea (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Everton v Aston Villa" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Wolves", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Both these teams had really good wins before the international break.

Bournemouth only beat Tottenham 1-0 but they absolutely hammered them, and could and should have scored more goals.

Brighton's victory over Manchester City was different in that they nicked the points late on - Erling Haaland was my Fantasy Premier League captain and he could have had a hat-trick for Pep Guardiola's side - but that was still an impressive result.

When I did my research for these predictions, I was a little surprised that the Seagulls did the double over the Cherries last season, winning 2-1 home and away.

I don't think Bournemouth will end up empty handed this time, though. I am going for a draw - an exciting one, not a boring one - on the south coast.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Sophie Brown
BBC Sport journalist

A south-coast derby between Bournemouth and Brighton, two sides who have bounced back after sluggish starts to the season.

After losing four of their first-choice back five over the summer, there was a lot of scrutiny on Bournemouth's new-look defence in the opening match of this campaign.

It didn't get off to a good start with a defeat by Liverpool, in which the Cherries conceded four goals and faced 19 shots, 10 of which were on target.

However, anyone who saw the match will know it was a more encouraging display than those stats suggested – and that has been borne out in their subsequent two league games.

Bournemouth were the only Premier League side to keep clean sheets in both the second and third matchdays, and faced both the fewest shots (11) and the fewest shots on target (two) in that time.

But on Saturday they are up against Brighton, who have won five of the past six league meetings between the sides and took all six points last season, in which they eventually finished six points and one place ahead of Bournemouth in the table in eighth and ninth respectively.

After going winless in their opening two games of 2025-26, the Seagulls thrashed Oxford United in the EFL Cup and then came from behind to beat Manchester City, and they will be hoping that the international break hasn't curtailed that momentum.

One man whose momentum shows no signs of slowing is evergreen midfielder James Milner, whose equalising spot-kick against City made him the oldest penalty scorer ever in the Premier League.

Brighton have scored a penalty in four of their past six Premier League matches, while in 2025 they have netted nine goals from the spot – four more than any other side – so 39-year-old Milner could well get a chance to extend his own record before too long.

• Hear more from Milner speaking to BBC Radio Sussex before the game against Bournemouth

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Premier League football is a brutal business and the brutal reality is that David Weir has effectively been sacked.

Weir was incredibly popular at Brighton. Following the shock exit of Dan Ashworth, he stepped into the technical director role after very little lead-in and, overall, has done really well. Club staff have been genuinely saddened by Friday's news.

However, owner Tony Bloom will never shy away from making big decisions if he feels they are the best thing for the club and there is a wider situation at play.

Brighton are a nimble operation and they are in the process of making big changes that tie into a medium-term strategy that will take the club to 2030.

Part of that involves appointing more female board members, another is the arrival of a chief technology officer - to bring new ideas and new energy to both the football and non-football side of the operation.

"Refresh, revitalise, re-energise" was the phrase repeated to me as the driver behind what Brighton are trying to do.

As you would expect of them, Brighton already know who Weir's replacement will be, although the announcement of that will have to wait for a little while so due acknowledgement for the Scot's work can be paid.

Club sources have stressed there is no fallout. Brighton simply want to go in a different direction.

To outsiders, Weir's exit is a shock. Some may question it.

However, after spending so long punching above their weight, Brighton's hierarchy have at least earned the right to be judged on what actually happens rather than what people think the outcome might be.