Recap

Brighton Snatch Dramatic Late Draw Against Bournemouth Thanks to Kostoulas Wondergoal

The Premier League clash at the Amex Stadium on January 19, 2026, ended in a thrilling 1-1 draw between Brighton & Hove Albion and AFC Bournemouth, with substitute Charalampos Kostoulas scoring a stunning overhead kick in second-half stoppage time to rescue a point for the hosts.

Match Overview: A Tense South Coast Derby

Brighton & Hove Albion hosted AFC Bournemouth in a crucial mid-table Premier League encounter at the Amex Stadium, with kick-off at 20:33 UK time on Monday, January 19, 2026. The Seagulls, sitting 12th in the table, welcomed a Bournemouth side in 15th place, separated by just three points prior to the match. This fixture carried added significance as Bournemouth sought back-to-back league wins for the first time since their 2-1 victory over Brighton on September 13.

The game unfolded as a tactical battle, with Brighton dominating possession but struggling to break down a resolute Cherries defense. Bournemouth, playing away from home where they had conceded 29 goals in 10 matches this season – the worst record in the league – showed resilience despite their defensive vulnerabilities. The match was defined by controversial VAR decisions and a late burst of drama that left fans on the edge of their seats.

First Half: Tavernier’s Penalty Puts Bournemouth Ahead

The opening period saw Brighton start brightly, but it was Bournemouth who struck first in the 32nd minute through Marcus Tavernier’s confidently taken penalty. The spot-kick came after a major talking point in the 27th minute, when Morocco winger Amine Adli went down in the box following a challenge from Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen on a low cross from Tavernier.

Referee Paul Tierney initially waved play on and produced a yellow card to Adli for simulation, but a VAR review prompted the official to reverse his decision. Tierney deemed Verbruggen had made foul contact with Adli’s thigh, rescinding the yellow and awarding the penalty. Tavernier stepped up coolly, slotting the ball into the bottom-left corner, sending Verbruggen the wrong way and giving Bournemouth a 1-0 lead.

The decision sparked controversy among the home crowd, with boos echoing around the Amex at half-time as Tierney left the pitch amid chants of “you’re not fit to referee.” Brighton had faded after a promising start, failing to truly test Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, while the Cherries defended stoutly to protect their advantage.

Second Half: Brighton’s Siege and Bournemouth’s Resilience

Brighton emerged from the break with renewed purpose, bossing possession in the second half but initially lacking cutting edge. Kaoru Mitoma, on a milestone outing, side-footed wide of the top-right corner early in the period, denied a goal on his significant appearance. Penalty appeals followed soon after when Jan Paul van Hecke went to ground in Bournemouth’s box after a collision with Alex Scott at a corner, but referee Tierney waved them away.

As the game wore on, Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler introduced attacking reinforcements to spark a comeback. With 24 minutes remaining, he brought on Carlos Baleba, Yankuba Minteh, and Georginio Rutter, aiming to exploit Bournemouth’s tiring defense. The substitutes injected energy; Minteh forced a superb save from Petrovic, tipping over a sizzling strike with seven minutes left, while Van Hecke sliced off target shortly after.

Bournemouth, managed by Andoni Iraola, began to run down the clock, defending resolutely after taking the lead. The Cherries had looked comfortable, having sold their top scorer Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City for £62.5 million and still competing effectively in the top flight. However, their Achilles’ heel was exposed late on – they had conceded 12 goals in the last 15 minutes of second halves this season, more than any other Premier League side.

Stoppage-Time Heroics: Kostoulas’ Acrobatic Equalizer

Deep into second-half stoppage time, 18-year-old substitute Charalampos Kostoulas produced a moment of magic to salvage a point for Brighton. The young forward unleashed a spectacular overhead kick – described as a “stunner,” “bicycle kick,” and “audacious overhead kick” across reports – that gave Petrovic no chance, rocketing into the net for 1-1.

Kostoulas’ goal was Brighton’s ninth scored by a substitute this season, more than any other team in the league, highlighting their bench strength. The strike canceled out Tavernier’s earlier penalty and ensured the Seagulls avoided defeat on a rare Monday home fixture, where they have historically struggled (just one win in 12 such games: P12 D7 L4).

The Amex erupted in celebration, turning what seemed a certain Bournemouth victory into a hard-fought draw. For the Cherries, it was another late concession that underscored their second-half fragility.

Key Facts and Statistics

• Final Score: Brighton 1-1 Bournemouth (Tavernier 32′ pen; Kostoulas 90+’)
• Goal Scorers: Marcus Tavernier (Bournemouth, penalty); Charalampos Kostoulas (Brighton, overhead kick)
• Key Incidents: VAR-awarded penalty to Bournemouth (32′), overturned from initial diving yellow; Brighton’s late substitutions spark pressure; Kostoulas’ stoppage-time wondergoal
• Table Impact: Brighton remain 12th, Bournemouth 15th, still three points and three places apart
• Bournemouth Away Form: Conceded 29 goals in 10 away games, league-worst
• Brighton Substitute Goals: Ninth by a substitute this season, league-high
• Bournemouth Late Goals Conceded: 12 in last 15 mins of second halves, most in Premier League
• Referee: Paul Tierney, who faced crowd backlash over the penalty call
• Attendance/Venue: Amex Stadium; exact figures not specified

Post-Match Implications and Context

The draw keeps both teams in mid-table contention, with Brighton holding a slight edge. For Hurzeler’s Seagulls, the point was vital after a dominant but goalless second half until Kostoulas’ intervention. The young Greek forward’s emergence as a super-sub could prove pivotal in their push up the table.

Bournemouth, despite the setback, showed grit away from home. Iraola’s side had defended admirably post their opener, but the late lapse aligns with their season-long issue of second-half fragility. Losing Semenyo hasn’t derailed them entirely, but securing wins on the road remains a challenge with their porous away defense.

Looking ahead, Brighton’s next five Premier League fixtures will test their resolve, while Bournemouth aim to build on recent form. This match will be remembered for Kostoulas’ acrobatics and the VAR drama, encapsulating the unpredictability of the Premier League.