Brighton 2 Bournemouth 2: Callum Wilson prods home after penalty area pinball to leave Chris Hughton 'hugely disappointed'

It felt somewhat fitting that in the early game on New Year’s Day, the defining moment involved a whole party of Premier League footballers stumbling over their own feet as if they were still feeling the effects of the previous night’s celebrations.

A total mess of miscued clearances, scuffed shots and flailing limbs eventually resulted in the ball bobbling off Callum Wilson’s outstretched leg and into the Brighton net. It was just the fourth goal of 2018, but there will surely be none more shambolic in the coming year.

“It wasn’t one for the purists,” laughed Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe. “I can’t remember too much about it. A mass of bodies, hacked clearances and Callum claiming the goal.”

A suitably chaotic finish, then, to a compelling and remarkably open match in which there were more shots than in any other Premier League game this season.

Twice Bournemouth had to come from behind on this short trip down the south coast, and twice they demonstrated the same spirit they had shown in scoring a late winner against Everton just two days earlier. “I’m happy with how we came back and fought,” said Howe.

Wilson’s strike, if we can call it that, also prevented Brighton from taking another major step forward in their quest for mid-table obscurity. Chris Hughton’s side, in his 150th game as Brighton manager, produced more attacking quality in the first half an hour than they have in entire games this season, but still left the Amex feeling like they should have made more of their many openings.

“I thought we had four really good opportunities to score,” said Hughton, perhaps a little conservatively. “So yes, my feeling is that it is is two points dropped. Hugely disappointed.”

Having not scored in the first half of a match for nine games, Brighton took the lead with less than five minutes played. Pascal Gross slipped a pass into winger Jose Izquierdo, whose cross was tucked away by Anthony Knockaert at the back post.

The strike set Brighton on their way, with Izquierdo and Glenn Murray both going close before Bournemouth had regained control. Slowly, though, the visitors eased into gear. Lewis Cook, impressive again in the centre of midfield, was a growing influence, while Jordon Ibe soon went close from range.

Defender Steve Cook then had a header blocked on the line, before his second effort from the resulting corner looped into the back of the net. “I am more disappointed with their first goal,” said Hughton. “It’s an area we have tried to work on and we have conceded too many goals from corners.”

Having scored just four minutes into the first half, Brighton promptly repeated the trick two minutes into the second. Again Gross picked out Izquierdo, who again played it across goal. This time it was Murray who picked the ball up, took a touch to steady himself and blasted Brighton back into the lead.

Shane Duffy nearly added to the advantage moments later, before the dangerous Izquierdo - who had also been thwarted from close range in the first half - was smothered by Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic after running with the ball from deep.

“What pleased me was his all-round game,” said Hughton of Izquierdo. “If you look at the way he plays, it’s not just about making forward runs. He also defends well for the team.”

Hughton said the attacking impetus was a conscious effort on behalf of his side to create more opportunities, which certainly worked. The problem is that they failed to take them, which allowed Bournemouth, hardly taking a passive approach themselves, to remain in contention.

“I am very pleased with the response because it’s not easy to chase the game,” said Howe. “That was the impressive thing.”

It was certainly more impressive than Wilson’s fortuitous winner. Not that Howe cared, of course. “We’ll take that,” he said with a smile.