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Premier League: Aaron Mooy, Mat Ryan play star roles as Brighton rediscover winning formula

Aaron Mooy scored for the first time in 17 matches and Mat Ryan pulled off some stunning saves as Brighton rediscovered their winning touch to climb out of the Premier League mire.

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Aaron Mooy of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates with Alireza Jahanbakhsh after scoring his teams second goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and AFC Bournemouth at American Express Community Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) **BESTPIX**
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Aaron Mooy of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates with Alireza Jahanbakhsh after scoring his teams second goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and AFC Bournemouth at American Express Community Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) **BESTPIX**

Aaron Mooy has played a part in both goals as Brighton recorded their first home win since November with a convincing 2-0 victory over a lacklustre Bournemouth side at the Amex Stadium.

The Seagulls suffered their biggest home defeat in the English Premier League in this fixture last season but got off to a dream start when Alireza Jahanbakhsh hit his first goal for the club.

The game was not without controversy, with VAR overruling a second-half goal from Dan Burn after the left-back was judged to be offside.

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Aaron Mooy helped orchestrate Brighton’s important win.
Aaron Mooy helped orchestrate Brighton’s important win.

Brighton did not have to wait too long for their second goal, however, as Australia’s Mooy, who impressed throughout in the centre of midfield, took a touch on his chest before firing home and making sure of all three points for the home side.

The result moves the Seagulls three points above Bournemouth, who have just two wins from their last 14 top-flight matches.

Less than three minutes after the game kicked off, Mooy steamed through the Bournemouth defence before passing to Neal Maupay, who offloaded for Jahanbakhsh to strike the ball past Aaron Ramsdale and give his side an early lead, before falling to the ground in tears as he became the third Iranian to find the net in the EPL.

The Cherries almost struck back immediately, with Australia international Mathew Ryan forced into a diving save to prevent Joshua King from finding the far corner after he was cleverly played in by Diego Rico.

Both sides enjoyed periods of possession after the opener, with Mooy running the midfield for Brighton, but clear-cut opportunities proved hard to come by.

The home side appeared to have doubled their lead at the start of the second half after the Cherries’ defence were unable to clear the ball, which fell to the towering Burn who took a touch before turning and slotting past Ramsdale.

Mooy put the game beyond doubt for Brighton.
Mooy put the game beyond doubt for Brighton.

Referee Paul Tierney awarded the goal only for VAR to undertake a lengthy review for offside, and left-back Burn was denied his first for the Seagulls.

However, Mooy doubled his side’s lead in the 79th minute.

The 29-year-old, on loan from Huddersfield, controlled the ball from Leandro Trossard on his chest, before taking it away from the defender and steering home.

Originally published as Premier League: Aaron Mooy, Mat Ryan play star roles as Brighton rediscover winning formula

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/football/premier-league/premier-league-aaron-mooy-mat-ryan-play-star-roles-as-brighton-rediscover-winning-formula/news-story/955aa7db23c5f00df84c496556ba20c9