SAINTS DON’T LIKE MONDAYS
BRIGHTON staged a stunning fightback to rescue a point at St Mary’s.
Familiar foe Glenn Murray struck against Southampton again right at the death to complete the Seagulls’ dramatic late comeback.
Tossing away a two-goal lead meant Southampton’s hoodoo continues and they have still yet to win a Monday night game at St Mary’s.
Something about the Saints brings out the best in Murray, who had scored four in five league games before last night.
And he made it five in six with a last-minute penalty as Brighton snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat.
They looked to be heading back along the south coast empty handed after going behind to a stunning strike from Pierreemile Hojbjerg and Danny Ings’ second-half penalty. But Shane Duffy kickstarted the Seagulls’ fightback just two minutes after Ings’ penalty and Murray finished the job at the death.
The result was a huge bonus for Brighton, giving them their first point and goals on the road this season.
Initially, it looked like the prematch lights, flames and firework show might be the highlight of the night. Mohamed Elyounoussi and Yves Bissouma booting the ball straight out of play within seconds of each other summed up the opening 20 minutes.
But the opening goal came as a bolt from the blue. Mario Lemina won the ball back in midfield, as he spent most of the night doing, and found Cedric, who passed it onto Elyounoussi.
His cross was poor and headed away by Lewis Dunk. But Hojbjerg took a touch and unleashed a sweetly-struck rocket of a shot.
It looked to be flying wide, but swerved back on target, just in time to find Mat Ryan’s bottom right-hand corner, his second goal in two games.
Brighton started the second half as if manager Chris Hughton had given them a rocket much better than the ones Southampton had sorted for their pre-match entertainment.
Davy Propper headed Martin Montoya’s cross wide and then Anthony Knockaert had a thumping effort pushed away by keeper Alex Mccarthy.
But Saints made it 2-0 in the 65th minute when Ings cooly converted a penalty he won when he was tripped by Gaetan Bong. It was his first home goal since returning to his boyhood club from Liverpool.
Brighton hit back just two minutes after Ings’ penalty when Duffy headed in Knockaert’s free-kick.
And their late pressure paid off when substitute James Wardprowse was adjudged to have fouled Duffy and Murray levelled from the spot.
Booked
Responded whenever called upon, but had no chance with penalty
Booked
Struggled at times, but his block stopped Knockaert
Brought calm and composure to Saints defence. Never hurried
At times indecisive, but heroic last-ditch tackle denied Bissouma
Little to do defensively, but good support act for Redmond
Real live wire down left. Involved in some of his side’s best moments
All-action game and won the ball to start move for Saints to score
All of a sudden a goalscorer. Great strike to make it two in two
Deliveries from out wide were poor, but he tracked back well
Unlucky in scramble, but touch let him down when put through
Some really classy touches, worked hard and deserved goal
Ward-prowse (Elyounoussi 76) 5 Gabbiadini (Long 76)
Davis (Ings 84) MOTM Beaten from 30 yards by Hojbjerg, but hard to criticise him MONTOYA
Struggled to contain Redmond who had the better of their battle DUFFY
Put his body on the line numerous times, scored powerful header DUNK
Good block from Ings. Unlucky his header teed up Hojbjerg
BONG
Lucky to get away with switching off when Elyounoussi headed wide KNOCKAERT Booked
Showed flashes in the first half, but much livelier in the second
Booked
Always willing to put his foot in, but unable to dictate play
Mixed night. Some good passing, but occasionally wasteful, too
Headed good chance wide after the break. Otherwise quiet
Had some good moments down the left, but no telling moment
Put himself about and grabbed last-gasp leveller from the spot
Jahanbakhsh (March 71) 6 Locadia (Bissouma 76) 6