The Cherries come from behind as they secured their first Premier League points of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion.

In front of the Sky Sports cameras, Solly March had given the visitors a headed lead ten minutes into the second period, but Andrew Surman soon drew the sides level with the coolest of finishes.

Defoe then turned things around as he too pounced on a Jordon Ibe pass to bury a low shot past Mathew Ryan.

Vitality Stadium electrified, the Cherries held their nerve and their lead to earn the three priceless Premier League points they craved. 

There were three changes to the side that started against Arsenal, Surman, Marc Pugh and captain Simon Francis starting at Vitality Stadium.

The hosts raced from the traps, a clear focus on an intense and quick start, though the first shot of the game came from Seagulls winger Anthony Knockaert nine minutes in, driving low but wide from 23 yards.

Harry Arter returned fire with a long-distance missile for Bournemouth, but his effort skewed off target.

A defensive mishap from Shane Duffy momentarily saw Joshua King bearing down on the Brighton goal, with Defoe in support the Norwegian elected to shoot but saw his effort blocked.

On 20 minutes Pugh went the closest yet as some neat interplay involving Arter and Charlie Daniel fed the winger in the box, the 30-year-old steadied himself but his powerful shot flew just over the bar.

Daniels soon looked for another goal-of-the-season contender to add to his Manchester City belter, though this time his 30-yard shot was held by Seagulls ‘keeper Ryan.

After Arter had given the ball away in midfield Davy Propper rushed forwards and dinked a shot just over Asmir Begovic’s goal, while moments later at the other end Defoe turned quickly and fired – his 20-yard strike sliding a foot wide.

Bournemouth were returning to the fundamentals Eddie Howe had called for ahead of the match, moving the ball quickly and utilising the speed in the side, though the opening goal remained elusive.

Brighton were stacking ten and sometimes 11 men behind the ball, frustrating the Cherries who, despite dominating possession, were unable to break the deadlock ahead of half time.

The Cherries team returned to the pitch early for the second period, keen to turn their intent into goals.

However, it was the visitors who twice came within a whisker of opening the scoring. First Surman’s positioning was perfect as he cleared Duffy’s header off the line, before another aerial effort from a corner was directed onto the underside of the crossbar by Dale Stephens.

Brighton did have the lead of 55 minutes, a left-footed cross from Tomer Hemed headed back across goal and past Begovic by March five yards out.

The goal further enlivened the visitors, the fizz knocked out of the Cherrie, with Ibe coming on to replace Ryan Fraser; the home side desperate for a way back into the game.

The breakthrough soon came, Ibe instrumental as he returned Surman’s pass with a backheel, the central midfielder stepping inside and finishing calmly with a rolled effort into the bottom corner; his first goal since February 2015.

Ibe soon went close to a goal himself, pouncing on a loose ball to drive low, Lewis Dunk heroically blocking behind for a corner. 

The lead was soon Bournemouth's, however. From the half-cleared set piece Ibe wriggled into space and found Defoe with a pinpoint pass, the England striker capitalising on room in the box to slam home a finish for his first goal since his return to the club.

Liam Rosenior struck over the bar from range for the visitors inside the final five minutes, with four extra minutes signalled by the fourth official for the Cherries to retain their advantage. 

The brilliant Ibe swirled a free-kick barely wide, the Cherries seeing out the match and claiming their victory.