Hughton glad of striking choice

GLENN MURRAY had to wait for his chance to make his mark this season but now the striker appears intent on making up for lost time.

A third goal in two games from the 34-year-old striker ensured Brighton fought back after Steve Davis headed Southampton ahead after just six minutes.

The Seagulls’ recovery from falling behind to a side who were eyeing seventh spot was another positive sign for Chris Hughton as his side attempt to establish themselves in the top flight.

At home, Brighton are looking resilient with only one defeat – a 2-0 loss to Manchester City on the opening day – to their name, while Murray’s two goals nine days before this match helped them secure a first away win at West Ham.

This result left them in mid-table – a position Hughton insists does not flatter them.

The Brighton manager can be equally satisfied last season’s leading scorer is finding his feet after stepping into the starting line-up when Tomer Hemed was banned for three games for a stamp on Newcastle’s DeAndre Yedlin. Murray has grabbed his had a really good summer and came back in really good shape.

“He was really unfortunate with the ban but if these things motivate a player to stay in the team, with other players pushing them, it’s the best position for a manager to be in.”

It looked as though it would be a long afternoon for Brighton when Davis stooped to head home after James WardProwse’s free-kick came back off the post.

Southampton, though, were unable to press their advantage and while both sides struggled to get find any fluency, Brighton were eventually rewarded for picking up the tempo when Murray headed home from Pascal Gross’s cross. Gross has now had a hand in seven of Brighton’s 10 goals, including five assists, which puts him in exalted company behind only Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva in the Premier League assists chart.

Questions were asked after Fraser Forster’s failure to keep out Murray’s 51st minute header at his near post.

But Mauricio Pellegrino, the Saints manager, defended his goalkeeper.

He said: “It was a bit unlucky, the ball deflected off Cedric’s head and surprised our goalkeeper a little bit. But it’s part of football.

“From the outside every action looks simple but from the inside every action is completely different.

“I see the team competing well in terms of making the right decisions in different moments. I think the team is growing a little bit more mature.”

BRIGHTON (4-4-2): Goal: SOUTHAMPTON (4-1-4-1): Booked: Booked: NEXT UP: