Match report: Brighton 1-1 Bournemouth
Just when it seemed another match would be dominated by the dreariness of a debatable video assistant referee decision, a moment of majesty from Charalampos Kostoulas provided a pertinent reminder of the beauty that football can provide.
With his side staring at what would have been a controversial defeat, the Greek substitute found himself facing away from the Bournemouth goal in the first minute of injury time. A touch of his chest bounced the ball upwards, before the 18-year-old produced a wonderful bicycle kick to send the Amex Stadium wild.
It meant spoils were shared and ensured the game was not decided by a first-half penalty that the referee had not initially given, instead punishing Amine Adli for a dive, only to change his mind and point to the spot when identifying on the pitchside monitor that Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen had touched the Moroccan as he tumbled to the ground. How much contact is too much contact? Does anyone even know any more?
Brighton reaction
Charalampos Kostoulas
It’s the first time you have seen it [an overhead kick] but Lewis has seen it plenty of times in training! I like this way of trying to score.
[On adjusting to life in England] This is an experience I wanted to live since I was a kid. I’m happy, I’m adjusting day by day.
Lewis Dunk
We started the game well, then we lost our rhythm. I’ve not seen it back but I didn’t think it was a penalty at the time. That turns the game on its head. We showed great fight in the second half and this man scored an unbelievable goal. He tries it a lot – I’ve seen him score even better overhead kicks in training!
