AliousBournemouth manager Andoni Iraola admitted that his side’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton was tough to accept, especially given their strong performance. However, he acknowledged that the Seagulls were simply more clinical when it mattered most.
The Cherries fell behind early after Joao Pedro converted a penalty, but they fought back in the second half with a stunning equalizer from Justin Kluivert. Despite their growing momentum, Bournemouth were undone late in the match when substitute Danny Welbeck fired home the winner off the post with 15 minutes remaining.
Iraola Frustrated by Missed Chances and Defensive Lapses**
Speaking to the *Daily Echo*, Iraola expressed disappointment that his team couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities.
“In the second half, we played very well,” he said. “We created more clear chances beyond the goal Justin scored. The key moment was when we had a huge opportunity at 1-1, but their goalkeeper made a big save. Then Alex [Scott] and Dango [Ouattara] had a chance on the rebound, but we couldn’t find the net.”
Moments later, Bournemouth conceded, with Iraola particularly frustrated by his team’s defensive positioning. “Our recovery runs could have been better,” he admitted. “We should have defended Welbeck’s goal more effectively.”
“We Matched Brighton But Didn’t Take Our Chances”**
Iraola felt his team performed at least as well as Brighton, if not better, across key statistics.
“When we analyze the game, we’ll see that we had more corners, more shots, more crosses, and spent more time in their half,” he noted. “But ultimately, what matters is being decisive in both boxes, and Brighton did that better than us.”
Despite the loss, the Spaniard remained positive about the overall quality of the match. “It was a good game of football between two strong teams, but when you lose, that doesn’t mean much.”
On Joao Pedro’s Penalty: “He Was Clever”**
Brighton’s opening goal came after Joao Pedro won a penalty following contact with Kepa Arrizabalaga. While Iraola did not dispute the decision, he suggested that the Brazilian forward had been smart in the way he won the foul.
“I think the forward knew what he was doing,” he said. “He wasn’t thinking about scoring; he was looking to win the penalty. He played it well, and usually, these are given.”
### **Bournemouth Aim to Bounce Back in the FA Cup**
With back-to-back league defeats now behind them, Bournemouth must regroup quickly as they prepare to host Wolves in the FA Cup this Saturday. Iraola will be hoping his team can convert their positive performances into results as they continue their push for European football.
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