Veteran forward Welbeck scored within four minutes of his introduction, calmly finishing with his left foot to grasp Brighton's third straight Premier League win and boost their European charge.

Kepa Arrizabalaga had earlier clumsily felled Joao Pedro, who opened the scoring with a 12th-minute penalty at the Amex Stadium, to offer Fabian Hurzeler's in-form side a great start.

However, Justin Kluivert levelled with a stunning effort just past the hour, becoming the first Bournemouth player to score 10 Premier League away goals in a single campaign.

Brighton was reeling but then delivered its counter-attacking blow with 15 minutes remaining, Georginio Rutter teeing up Welbeck to fire past Kepa via the inside of the post.

It could have been a different story, though, if not for Bart Verbruggen producing a decisive stop from close range against Dango Outtara with the scores level at 1-1.

Yet Verbruggen's heroics, coupled with Welbeck's vital impact from the bench, saw Brighton move into eighth, level on points with seventh-placed Bournemouth as the European race hots up in the top flight.