Anthony Knockaert sees red as Bournemouth help Brighton self-destruct

If Brighton do not end up surviving a second season in the Premier League, then Chris Hughton knows they have no one to blame but themselves. A Bournemouth side who had won only once since the 4-0 victory over Chelsea at the end of January inflicted Brighton’s heaviest defeat since moving to the Amex in 2011. Anthony Knockaert was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge that completed a miserable afternoon for both the Frenchman and his manager.

Only the intervention of the referee in two out of Cardiff’s last three matches has meant that a dangerous situation has not become more critical for Brighton who now face a crucial meeting with Neil Warnock’s side here on Tuesday. On this evidence, as Hughton acknowledged, they will be up against it.

“It’s not something we have experienced before. It was our worst result ever,” he said. “There is no doubt they know how poor the performance was today. Now we will be looking to see the type of reaction we will get from them against a Cardiff team who will be highly motivated.”

With Tottenham, Arsenal and City to come in three of Brighton’s final four fixtures, Hughton had insisted this week that he wanted to ensure safety before the end of the month. He could not have wished for much better opponents with Bournemouth having lost 11 of their last 12 matches on the road in all competitions. Yet having been outbattled in the home defeat by Burnley last week, Eddie Howe was given the response he had demanded with an impressive start that could easily have seen the visitors take the lead twice through Callum Wilson and Josh King before they did. Both moves emanated from the jinking feet of Ryan Fraser on the left wing but it was David Brooks – deployed on the opposite flank – who was the architect of the opening goal. A superb piece of skill from the Wales international picked out Wilson’s run and Dan Gosling was on hand to finish with aplomb from his pass.

An atmosphere that was already nervous suddenly became full of tension, with Brighton struggling to find a response despite the best efforts of the energetic Yves Bissouma and Knockaert. They left the field at half-time to a smattering of boos, although the news that Cardiff were trailing at Burnley would have cheered them up slightly.

Glenn Murray was sent to warm up immediately after the restart, just as Chris Mepham and Knockaert were squaring up to each other following a clash off the ball. Both ended up being booked, although Mepham was perhaps slightly lucky to stay on the pitch after appearing to lean his head into his opponent’s forehead.

Spurred on by the perceived injustice, Brighton attempted to push forward but were almost caught out on the break when Wilson’s cross just failed to pick out King. Less than 60 seconds later Knockaert carelessly gave the ball away in his own half and the lead had doubled, Fraser curling home his seventh Premier League goal of the season after another precise pass from Wilson.

That was the cue for Murray to make his bow, yet still it was Bournemouth who appeared more likely to extend their lead. Any hopes of a late rescue act were extinguished when Knockaert was shown a straight red for taking out Adam Smith with what his manager described as “an emotional and reckless” challenge after losing the ball. “He is aware that he has let the team down,” added Hughton.

A brilliant run from Smith soon after allowed Brooks to score a deserved goal after more good play from Fraser, who was then on hand to set up Wilson for the next after another Brighton error. “We want five,” sang the Bournemouth fans. By the time Junior Stanislas granted their wish in stoppage time, most of their counterparts were long gone.