Danny Welbeck nets Brighton winner against fellow European hopefuls Bournemouth

Danny Welbeck made an instant impact from the bench as Brighton registered a third-successive Premier League win by beating fellow European hopefuls Bournemouth 2-1.

With both sides dreaming of qualifying for continental football next season, substitute Welbeck rolled home a 75th-minute winner, having just come on in place of Joao Pedro.

Pedro won and converted an early penalty to put the Seagulls in front at the Amex Stadium before Justin Kluivert rifled home a thunderous, second-half leveller for the Cherries.

Brighton’s victory, which followed emphatic successes against Chelsea and rock-bottom Southampton, lifts to them eighth place on 43 points, below their opponents only on goal difference.

Defeat for Andoni Iraola’s visitors was a second in succession and ended their seven-game unbeaten away run dating back to early November.

Bournemouth travelled along the south coast without the services of suspended defender Illia Zabarnyi following a failed appeal against his disputed weekend red card during Saturday’s surprise 1-0 loss to lowly Wolves.

Midfielder Tyler Adams and winger David Brooks were recalled in place of Zabarnyi and Marcus Tavernier, prompting a backline reshuffle involving James Hill and captain Lewis Cook, while Brighton handed a full Premier League debut to Diego Gomez as part of two changes from their 4-0 weekend triumph at St Mary’s.

January signing Gomez was heavily involved in a bright start which brought a 12th-minute breakthrough.

Moments after releasing Kaoru Mitoma, who poked agonisingly wide, the Paraguay midfielder produced another incisive pass, which led to Pedro being brought down by Cherries goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Referee Michael Oliver duly pointed to the spot and Pedro calmly sent