Fabian Hurzeler blasts penalty call as Kostoulas strikes late to rescue Brighton

By SABC Sport
20th January 2026

Brighton coach Fabian Hurzeler has admitted his side were denied a win by a contentious penalty decision before Charalampos Kostoulas' dramatic stoppage-time overhead kick secured a 1-1 Premier League draw with Bournemouth.

The result at the Amex Stadium kept Brighton unbeaten in five and maintained their mid-table position.

Bournemouth took the lead in the 32nd minute when Marcus Tavernier scored from the penalty spot after referee Paul Tierney overturned an initial booking for simulation and awarded a spot-kick following a VAR check on a challenge between Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen and Amine Adli. Tavernier's penalty struck low past Verbruggen.

Hurzeler was frank about his frustration after the game. "I thought we started the game really strong and then the penalty changed the rhythm of the game," he said. "For me it's not a penalty, contact doesn't mean a foul. We have to accept people make mistakes, but it's difficult in that moment."

Brighton improved after the break but looked set to lose until the 18-year-old Kostoulas produced a moment of pure quality. Introduced as a substitute, the Greek teenager controlled a knock-down from Jan Paul van Hecke, launched himself into a superb overhead kick and sent the ball high into the net in the first minute of added time to level.

Skipper Lewis Dunk praised Kostoulas after the match, calling him "a special talent" and saying: "I've seen him score better in training, but that was unbelievable. He's adapting to a new league and he's shown exactly what he can do."

Reflecting on the point earned, Hurzeler added: "It's a great goal and we all prefer to win these types of games, but that shows his skill. Now it's about doing the other things well."

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola accepted his side were unfortunate not to win. "It's a shame because the players have done an incredible effort," he said, praising the quality of the equaliser even as his team struggled with injuries and missed opportunities.

The draw left Brighton with 30 points from 22 games, three points and three places above Bournemouth in the Premier League standings, a reminder of how fine margins and moments of individual brilliance can shape a season.