5 key passes: Brighton’s unsung hero shines on the South Coast – opinion
Brighton's Dutch midfielder Aaron Mooy celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Bournemouth at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on December 28, 2019. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Brighton and Hove Albion ended a run of two straight defeats when they got back to winning ways against A.F.C Bournemouth in a game that finished 2-0 on Saturday. The Seagulls were back to their brilliant best under manager Graham Potter, and their on-loan midfielder Aaron Mooy was at the heart of everything the home side did well at the Amex.
The Australian was started further forward than usual in a central attacking midfield role, and it was a stroke of genius from Potter overcoming the opposition with Mooy’s industry. Even from such an advanced position, the 29-year-old pressed the ball high up the pitch making a single tackle, while also getting back to block a shot. Contributions at either end of the field epitomised his industrious work-rate.
After Mooy had overturned possession for Brighton, he was continually looking for any forward options available to the midfielder. No other player at the Amex Stadium made more key passes than the Australian international’s five, but unfortunately for him, he was unable to add to his one assist for the season. Furthermore, the only Brighton midfielder who played more passes was Davy Propper, and Mooy had an outstanding pass accuracy of 81.3 per cent. Though, one area that may have reduced his accuracy was failing to find teammates with his crosses, as only two of his 11 efforts reached a fellow player in blue and white.
To highlight Mooy’s attacking contribution further, only striker Neal Maupay had more shots than the 29-year-old’s four. Just one of those efforts was on target, but it was all the Australian needed to open his account for the season. Mooy completed three dribbles around Cherries players which is not a side of the game he is known for, but one he excelled at on Saturday. The only faults of his performance in an attacking sense came via being dispossessed once by an opposition player and making a sole unsuccessful touch. However, those are small gripes of what was a truly inspirational performance.
To earn a transfer back to the Premier League permanently Mooy will have to replicate his display against Bournemouth more often. Still, it was a stroke of genius by Potter to play the Australian in a more advanced role, allowing his technical qualities to shine through on the south coast.