Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi took aim at his players after a second heavy defeat in three days, accusing them of playing without pride.

Bournemouth followed where Manchester City led on Thursday in punishing a Brighton side who are now in serious retreat with goals from Marcos Senesi, Unal Enes and Justin Kluivert. De Zerbi apologised to the club's supporters, saying that while it was harder to rouse themselves for games without the realistic carrot of qualifying for Europe, a limp and weary display at the Vitality Stadium was inexcusable.

"We are sorry for the performance," De Zerbi said. "We are spending a tough season, especially in the last two or three months. We have to find the energy to finish the season in a different way.

"Injuries are a factor for sure, but motivation as well. Motivation in football is 80 per cent of our work. In my time we kept every game a big challenge, a big target. In this moment, too many points from European qualification, we are working for an unclear target but I can't accept a game without soul.

"We have to stop this moment quickly. I have a big respect for my players and I know they are suffering in the same way, but we have to be honest with ourselves. "We have always to play with soul, with honour and with pride because we are Brighton."

De Zerbi's team looked like a side whose thoughts were drifting towards the beach - presumably not Brighton - and reclining on the mid-table chaise longue did not go down well with the Italian. De Zerbi did his best to inject life, making seven changes ahead of kick-off, but it made no difference. Striker Mark O'Mahony's first Premier League start aged 19 lasted only 45 minutes before he was replaced at half-time.

By then Bournemouth were a goal to the good as Brighton's set-piece defence, a persistent Achilles heel, let them down again.

They failed to deal with Lewis Cook's near-post corner and Argentine defender Senesi nodded the home side into the lead.