Brighton came into the game looking to build on their brilliant win against Manchester City before the international break, but the Seagulls were dealt a blow within seconds of kick-off after Jack Hinshelwood and Evanilson had a coming together – the Brighton man tried to shake off the injury but was forced off.
Bournemouth capitalised on the disruption that caused Brighton by opening the scoring, as Antoine Semenyo did well to control the ball before laying it off to Alex Scott, who took a touch before firing past Bart Verbruggen.
The away side’s miserable afternoon continued as Fabian Hurzeler was forced into a second change of the first half, after Maxim De Cuyper limped off after being sent into the advertising hoardings – he was replaced by Ferdi Kadioglu.
The Cherries comfortably strolled through the remainder of the first half with little trouble and their lead intact going into the half-time break.
With 10 of their previous 13 goals coming after the break, Brighton still posed a threat, and added another to the post-half-time tally within four minutes of the restart, after Kaoru Mitoma uncharacteristically leapt highest in the box to nod in at the front post.
That goal turned the momentum in the contest, as Danny Welbeck came close to completing the turnaround but he fizzed an effort wide of Djordje Petrovic’s goal.
However, just as the Seagulls were on the ascendancy, they were pulled back after Jan Paul van Hecke caught Evanilson in the box, which allowed Semenyo to step up and tuck his third league goal of the season away from the penalty spot.
Bournemouth resumed control of the contest after restoring their lead and should have put the game out of sight midway through the second half, but Marcus Tavernier sent a shot high and wide from the edge of the box.
Justin Kluivert and Amine Adli both had efforts on goal too but in the end, Semenyo’s penalty kick secured the points for the Cherries, earning just their second head-to-head win in seven meetings.
A third win in four league games has Iraola’s men provisionally in the top-four – making a mockery of pundits predicting a relegation dogfight after the summer exodus of their top talents. Meanwhile, Brighton will be disappointed not to have capitalised after pulling a goal back, and suffer back-to-back away Premier League defeats.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Antoine Semenyo (AFC Bournemouth)