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Brighton sign Aaron Mooy on permanent deal

By Joe Prince-WrightJan 24, 2020, 12:53 PM EST
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Aaron Mooy has signed for Brighton and Hove Albion on a permanent deal after impressing while on loan from Huddersfield Town.

Mooy, 29, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with the Seagulls as the Australian international midfielder has become an integral part of Graham Potter‘s side who started the season well but have suffered a dip in form in recent months.

The former Melbourne City and Huddersfield star initially joined Brighton on loan in the summer but he move has now been made permanent and the reported transfer fee is in the region of $6.5 million. Pretty good business for a goalscoring midfielder with supreme quality from set piece situations.

Speaking about his permanent move to the Amex Stadium, Mooy revealed he is delighted to be at the club, totally feels at home and is enjoying the open, attacking style the Seagulls play.

“I feel like I’ve progressed, but of course you can always improve and do more,” Mooy said. “It’s about playing well consistently, but I am quite happy because you never know what can happen when you move clubs. You have a new manager, teammates and a new environment to adapt to, but it’s been really good. I like the way we play and it’s enjoyable to be a part of.”

Mooy has scored twice and added an assist and those contributions have all come in the last six weeks as he’s become extremely important to the way Brighton play. His eye for a pass, composure on the ball and ability to dictate the tempo of games from a wide left or central position has been key to Brighton hanging in games.

That said, they are just two points above the relegation zone so they will need plenty more goals like the one from Mooy below if they’re going to pull away from the drop zone in the weeks and months to come.

Bournemouth hammer Brighton

By Joe Prince-WrightJan 21, 2020, 4:25 PM EST
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Bournemouth beat Brighton and Hove Albion 3-1 at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday as Eddie Howe‘s men secured a big win in their battle against relegation.

[ MORE: Premier League schedule ]  

Harry Wilson scored the opener and an own goal from Pascal Gross made it 2-0, while Callum Wilson made it 3-0 before Aaron Mooy‘s late consolation.

With the win, which ended a run of four-straight defeats, Bournemouth move up to 18th on 23 points, while Brighton are now just two points above the drop zone and are without a win in four PL games.

3 things we learned

1. Bournemouth find their shooting boots: Eddie Howe’s side hadn’t scored in the four previous games but both Wilson’s looked sharp and Ryan Fraser caused Brighton plenty of problems. Bournemouth had their swagger back in attack and that is great news for the Cherries who secured just their second win in their last 13 Premier League games.

2. Wilson’s goal drought is over: Bournemouth have been struggling in attack and much is that is down to Callum Wilson’s lack of goals. His first strike in 13 games will be a huge relief to him and his team, as he worked the Brighton defense and kept plugging away. The England international has quality and now he should have confidence.

3. Brighton’s lack of a clinical edge concerning: They were met by a goalkeeper who played well but Brighton should have buried at least two or three of the chances they created. That has been a reoccurring theme for Graham Potter‘s side in recent months as their fast start to the season has evaporated.

Man of the Match: Aaron Ramsdale – Yes, Bournemouth finally got going in attack but at the other end of the pitch Ramsdale was brilliant, making at least three wonderful saves to deny Brighton. The young English goalkeeper is making quite the name for himself.

Brighton pinned Bournemouth back and whipped in plenty of dangerous crosses.

The game was predictably a scrappy one with Bernardo catching Harry Wilson clattered into and the first big chance of the game fell to the Seagulls.

Aaron Mooy’s clever ball found Neal Maupay but Aaron Ramsdale denied him, then Nathan Ake brilliantly bocked his rebound.

Bournemouth then took the lead with their first Premier League goal of 2020. Brighton half cleared a long ball but Dominic Solanke picked it up and set up Harry Wilson who smashed home.

The Cherries then doubled their lead soon after as a corner from the right found him at the back post and Wilson battled with Pascal Gross who bundled it into his own net.

[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ] 

Alireza Jahanbakhsh‘s shot from distance took a huge deflection and looped just over as Brighton pushed hard to get back in the game.

Bournemouth pushed hard to put the game to bed late on as Brighton struggled to get out of their own half as Mat Ryan saved superbly from close range to deny Phillip Billing.

Both goalkeeper continued to play well as Ramsdale denied Lewis Dunk, Maupay and then Mooy with Brighton peppering the Bournemouth goal.

The Cherries then wrapped up the win as Wilson got his first Premier League goal in 13 games with a calm finish to send the home fans delirious. Mooy’s stunning strike turned out to be no more than a consolation as the Australian smashed home to make it 3-1.

Aston Villa grab vital point at Brighton

By Joe Prince-WrightJan 18, 2020, 12:37 PM EST
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Injury-hit Aston Villa grabbed a big point at Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

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Leandro Trossard gave Brighton a first half lead but Jack Grealish popped up with a second half equalizer to share the points in a fiery encounter at the Amex.

With the draw both teams remained embroiled in a relegation battle as Brighton have 25 points and sit three points ahead of Villa who occupy 18th, the final relegation spot.

3 things we learned

1. Grealish delivers, again: Riddled by injuries, Villa needed their captain to stand tall. He did. Again. Even in recent heavy defeats Grealish has tried to drive Villa on and he has now scored in their tight win at Burnley and grabbed them a point at Brighton. Against relegation rivals, Grealish has delivered for Villa and at 24 years old he conrinues to mature.

2. Brighton let another lead slip: The Seagulls have won just won of their last eight league games and they keep letting leads slip in tight games. Graham Potter‘s side have plenty of the ball and dominate games but just can’t score the second goal to finish teams off. They have only scored more than one goal once in their last seven games and for all of their fine attacking play, Brighton are three points off the bottom because they can’t finish teams off.

3. Relegation battle coming up: Both teams showed why they will be in a relegation battle all season long. Brighton can’t score or finish teams off, while Villa are too reliant on Grealish and have no real attacking options as they rode their luck at Brighton. Potter and Dean Smith are two progressive, young, English coaches but they will be pushed to their limits to keep their teams up this season. They may also have to put their principles of free-flowing, attacking football to one side if they’re going to be managing PL clubs next season.

Man of the Match: Jack Grealish – Villa’s main man popped up with the goal which grabbed them a point and he was everywhere. Villa had no central striker once again as they wait to bring someone in during the January window with Wesley out for the season, and Grealish made so many runs forward during the game to try and take the pressure off his team.

Jack Grealish smashed an effort just wide as Villa looked dangerous on the counter without a recognized striker.

The Seagulls then came close to the taking the lead as Bernardo‘s cross found Aaron Mooy and his volley was cleared, eventually, as an almighty scramble ensued.

Aaron Connolly then knocked a low cross just wide as he seemed to be surprised that the ball found him in the six yard box.

Brighton took the lead as Neal Maupay ran towards goal and teed up Trossard who fired home across goal and into the far corner.

[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ] 

Mohamed Trezeguet was denied by Mat Ryan in a rare Villa attack as Brighton were dominating, with young American Indiana Vassilev coming on for his Premier League debut.

Moments later Grealish made it 1-1 as a poor mistake from Brighton saw Douglas Luiz play a long ball over the top and Villa’s skipper slammed home to send the away end wild.

Late on Villa debutant Pepe Reina made a wonderful stop to deny Maupay preserve a point as tempers flared towards and after the final whistle as both sets of players were involved in a huge melee.

Watch Live: Six Premier League games at 10am

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By Joe Prince-WrightJan 18, 2020, 9:44 AM EST
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Six Premier League games are live at 10 a.m. ET with Arsenal and Man City in action, and you can watch every single game live online as some huge clashes are set up across the table.

[ STREAM: Every PL game live here ] 

Southampton host Wolves, Aston Villa travel to Brighton, Man City host Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Norwich square off in a relegation six-pointer, West Ham host Everton and Sheffield United travel to Arsenal.

[ MORE: Sign up for NBC Sports Gold ] 

You can access additional games by purchasing the new “Premier League Pass” via NBC Sports Gold which also includes an extensive selection of shoulder programming such as Premier League News, Premier League Today and NBC Sports originals such as Premier League Download and much more.

[ STREAM: “Goal Rush” here ]

For those of you familiar with the Premier League Breakaway Show during busy days (Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Championship Sunday etc.) in the PL, this will follow that model of being similar to the NFL RedZone with action shown from all of the games in the 10 a.m. ET window. More info is available here.

The schedule for the six games at 10 a.m. ET is below and you can stream each game live by clicking on the links.

10 a.m. ET: Arsenal v. Sheffield United – NBCSN [STREAM]
10 a.m. ET: Brighton v. Aston Villa – NBC Sports Gold [STREAM]
10 a.m. ET: Man City v. Crystal Palace – NBC Sports Gold [STREAM]
10 a.m. ET: Norwich v. Bournemouth – NBC Sports Gold [STREAM]
10 a.m. ET: Southampton v. Wolves – NBC Sports Gold [STREAM]
10 a.m. ET: West Ham v. Everton – NBC Sports Gold [STREAM]

USMNT forward Sargent returns, scores brace in Werder Bremen friendly (video)

USMNT forward Josh Sargent scores brace
Photo by Carmen Jaspersen/picture alliance via Getty Images
By Nicholas MendolaJan 12, 2020, 8:27 AM EST
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Josh Sargent returned for Werder Bremen on Sunday, and any lingering effects of the injury that cost him a month on the sidelines were not apparent.

Bremen met Hannover 96 for a friendly in order to warm up for next week’s Bundesliga restart.

The 19-year-old American scored twice in 45 minutes before departing at halftime.

[ MORE: Premier League schedule ]

The first goal was a swell volley of a tricky first touch, the second a powered header off a cross.

Sargent missed four league matches with a groin injury, and Bremen lost them all by a combined score of 13-1.

He has two goals and two assists in 553 Bundesliga minutes this season, counting six starts amongst his 11 league appearances.

The center forward has been capped 12 times by the United States men’s national team, scoring five goals.