He appeared close to tears afterwards with even goalkeeper Mat Ryan running forward to join in the jubilant celebrations.
“I have been waiting for this time for a long time,” he told BBC Sport after scoring in his first Premier League start of the season. “Before the match I had a great feeling and I’m glad to help us win the game.”
Dan Burn had a second goal ruled out by the video assistant referee for a marginal offside several phases of play before he smashed home.
And Yves Bissouma struck the post as Brighton – not for the first time this season – struggled to get a second goal to kill the game off.
But the clinching strike came as Aaron Mooy controlled Leandro Trossard’s cross before firing in his first Seagulls goal.
Bournemouth only had two shots on target, with one of those coming from Junior Stanislas on his return from eight months out with a knee injury.
Graham Potter’s Brighton move three points above Bournemouth, with both clubs on a similar run of form – one win in eight before this game – and only previously separated on goals scored.
