BRIGHTON signed off 2019 with a huge win over fellow relegation scrappers Bournemouth after a richly deserved 2-0 win on Saturday, courtesy of two first-time goalscorers for the Seagulls.

Iranian winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh was emotional after netting his first for the club since signing from AZ Alkmaar last season and Aaron Mooy, on a season-long loan from Championship side Huddersfield Town, capped off a man of the match performance with a well-taken goal to underline his worthwhile contribution to the side.

The Australian underplayed his own role in the victory but was frank about how he sees his future playing out.

“The way we play football suits me more than the way we did at Huddersfield because we try to play through the lines and that’s how I like to play,” the 29-year-old explained. “I feel like I’m improving, settling in, just trying to get better and help the team.”

His display here will excite Brighton fans about the prospect of a permanent move next summer. “I don’t have control over these things,” he said when quizzed on his future. “I just turn up every day, train hard and try to play my best.’

Before this defeat, the Cherries were enjoying a run of five matches without defeat at Falmer Stadium, including the 0-5 win in this fixture last season. But Albion swiftly quelled any niggling concerns over their worrying record against their south-coast rivals.

Brighton were ahead inside three minutes thanks to a lightning-quick counter-attack in which Mooy played a central role. He brought the ball forward to the half-way line and slotted in Neal Maupay, who held it up and played it back to Jahanbakhsh to fire past Arron Ramsdale.

The Seagulls’ own keeper Mat Ryan was called into action soon after — springing to his left to make a good save and deny Josh King who wriggled free in the box.

At 1-0, it felt like the game was on a knife-edge but could have been settled way before Mooy’s brilliant effort.

When Mooy swung in a wide free-kick, Dan Burn used all of his 6ft 6in frame to hold the ball up inside the Bournemouth penalty area. He swivelled and slammed it past Ramsdale but after a lengthy VAR check, the defender was deemed offside by a whisker, one of a handful of controversies on another tough day for the technology.

The game was finally settled 10 minutes from time when Leandro Trossard picked out a killer pass in to Mooy on the edge of the visitors’ six-yard box. The Australian controlled it sweetly to navigate Chris Mepham’s tackle and put himself in on goal. From there it was a neatly composed finish into the net.

The victory secured a big three points for the Seagulls in their push for a fourth consecutive Premier League campaign next season.