Following back-to-back home wins over Liverpool and Fulham, Cherries could not repeat the trick against Roberto De Zerbi’s in-form Seagulls. Brighton have now lost just one of 15 games in 2023, moving to within four points of the Premier League’s top four and booking their spot in the FA Cup semi-finals along the way. Goals from teenagers Evan Ferguson and Julio Enciso were enough to defeat Gary O’Neil’s men on Tuesday night, the loss plunging Cherries back into the relegation zone with nine games to play. Reflecting on the defeat at Vitality Stadium,
Lloyd Kelly said: “It was a tough game. We knew coming into the game it was going to be tough. We know how they play, the philosophy that their manager wants to play. I think it was a difficult first half, but saying that, we applied pressure second half and when you’re chasing the game like we were, you’re going to open yourself up to them maybe scoring a second. But of course we’re angry at ourselves for the result and we’ve got to turn it around.”
Asked if there was frustration over missed chances, with Hamed Traore squandering the clearest opening and Dominic Solanke also going close on multiple occasions,
Lloyd Kelly added: “For sure. When you look at the xG (expected goals) throughout the game, I think we were able to get in the final third and maybe it was just the last pass or picking someone out in the final area, the final third. I think we got into those areas, but it’s just that final decision.”
Of Cherries’ final nine games this season, six will come against clubs they are directly battling against to avoid the drop. That starts this Saturday, when O’Neil takes his side to King Power Stadium to face Leicester City. Asked if belief remains high among the squad of staying in the Premier League,
Lloyd Kelly insisted: “Yes, of course. We’re disappointed with the result now, but it doesn’t waver our minds at all to be honest. We know we have the quality to stay up this year and we’re going to give it our all until the very last game, if it comes to that.”
After a spell out of the side due to injury, Kelly has started the last four matches at left-back.
In February, boss Gary O’Neil opted to replace the 24-year-old as captain of the club, with experienced goalkeeper Neto instead taking the armband.
