BRIGHTON, United Kingdom — In a dramatic Premier League conclusion, Brighton & Hove Albion secured a last-gasp 1-1 draw against Bournemouth on Monday evening after teenage sensation Charalampos Kostoulas delivered a spectacular overhead kick in stoppage time at Amex Stadium.
The match’s narrative was dominated by two pivotal moments: a controversial first-half penalty decision and a breathtaking equalizer. Bournemouth had taken the lead in the 32nd minute through Marcus Tavernier’s converted spot-kick, awarded after referee Paul Tierney reversed his initial decision to book Amine Adli for simulation following a VAR intervention.
The controversial sequence began when Tierney showed Adli a yellow card for an apparent dive after contact with Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. VAR official Jarred Gillett instructed Tierney to review the incident on the pitch-side monitor, prompting the referee to rescind the booking and award a penalty instead. Tavernier calmly slotted home the resulting kick, igniting fury among Brighton supporters who directed chants of “you’re not fit to referee” at Tierney.
Bournemouth appeared destined to secure their first away victory in ten matches across all competitions until the 91st minute when Greek striker Kostoulas, aged 19 and signed from Olympiakos in July, produced a moment of pure brilliance. Connecting with Jan Paul van Hecke’s headed pass, Kostoulas executed a perfectly timed bicycle kick that soared into the top corner from 10 yards, leaving goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic helpless.
The result maintains Brighton’s three-point advantage over Bournemouth in the mid-table standings. For Bournemouth, it marked another frustrating concession late in a match—their 12th goal allowed in the final 15 minutes of second halves this season, the worst record in the Premier League.
Post-match reactions highlighted the emotional divide between the camps. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler expressed frustration with the penalty decision, stating: “It’s difficult to speak to the referees. They always have their own opinion. A touch and a contact is not enough, and that is what the referees said to us before the start of the season.”
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola lamented his team’s misfortune: “At the end, we are in that moment in the season when everything is against us. We don’t have this little bit of luck that you need. They scored an incredible goal, an overhead kick, top corner, and you finish with a point.”