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Charalampos Kostoulas scores late bicycle kick to rescue Brighton

Jan 19, 2026, 11:19 PM20
(Update: Jan 20, 2026, 7:56 AM)
city of Brighton and Hove, south coast of England
English association football player (born 1999)

Charalampos Kostoulas scores late bicycle kick to rescue Brighton

  • In a Premier League match on January 19, Brighton faced Bournemouth, with the visitors taking the lead via a controversial penalty from Marcus Tavernier.
  • Brighton struggled to equalize until late in the match when Charalampos Kostoulas scored a stunning bicycle kick in stoppage time.
  • This crucial goal allowed Brighton to salvage a 1-1 draw, leaving both teams with pressing challenges in the league.
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Story

On January 19, 2026, a thrilling Premier League match at the Amex Stadium in England saw Brighton & Hove Albion secure a dramatic 1-1 draw against Bournemouth. The game initially appeared to be headed for a Bournemouth victory after they took the lead through Marcus Tavernier's controversial penalty in the 32nd minute. Referee Paul Tierney's decision followed a VAR review, which overturned an initial yellow card issued to Bournemouth's Amine Adli for diving, determining instead that Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen had inflicted a foul. This penalty came as a surprise to many of the home fans who expressed their frustration at the decision during the match. Brighton entered the second half seeking to level the score but struggled to create clear chances as Bournemouth maintained their defense, enjoying a period where they could have doubled their lead. Evanilson's shot that hit the post served as a warning sign for Brighton as Bournemouth seemed to control much of the second half, although they began to tire as the game progressed. Brighton's coach, Fabian Hurzeler, made significant substitutions, aiming to spark a comeback, even as Bournemouth aimed to manage the remaining time, using stalling tactics. With just a minute left on the clock, Brighton's chances seemed to diminish, but they were awarded a lifeline when Olivier Boscagli delivered a precise cross. In a moment of brilliance, substitute Charalampos Kostoulas executed an extraordinary bicycle kick, acrobatically redirecting the ball into the net from Jan Paul van Hecke's knockdown. This moment of magic not only salvaged a point for Brighton but also marked Kostoulas's second goal in English football and showcased his extraordinary talent, as emphasized by Brighton's captain, Lewis Dunk. The match ended in drama, leaving Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola expressing disappointment over the result while acknowledging the potential and skill of Kostoulas. Brighton remained in 12th place in the Premier League standings, while Bournemouth, also under pressure this season, found themselves in 15th, cementing a challenging atmosphere for both teams moving forward. The draw showcased the tightly contested nature of the Premier League and the emerging talents making their mark within it.

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