[ad_1]
Southampton extended their unbeaten streak against Brighton to eight games and moved into fifth place in the Premier League with the victory at Amex Stadium.
When 2,000 Seagulls fans were welcomed back for the first time after a nine-month absence, Southampton fought back after going a goal behind to secure three points in a game that included two penalties.
Brighton took the lead from the penalty spot, with Pascal Gross sending goalkeeper Alex McCarthy down the wrong path after James Ward-Prowse handled the ball into the box.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men found the tie just before the halftime whistle with Ward-Prowse making up for his earlier mistake by picking Jan Vestergaard, who headed for the corner.
Then, with 10 minutes to go, substitute Danny Ings shot home on his return from injury after Southampton received a controversial penalty, with the Brighton players claiming the foul was committed outside the area.
In the early exchanges, fans sought to give their team an immediate boost, with Brighton starting off on the front foot and forcing McCarthy to step out of his line to meet twice.
Brighton had to wait until the 25th minute to take the lead when referee David Coote signaled the spot after a Danny Welbeck cross hit Ward-Prowse’s raised arms.
Gross fired the penalty after sending McCarthy down the wrong track to put a goal ahead of the Gaviotas.
The home side looked to advance at every opportunity, while Southampton struggled to get going, despite their recent quick starts against Manchester United, Newcastle and Aston Villa.
Against the game’s streak, the Saints scored the tie just before halftime. Ward-Prowse continued his impressive set-piece record, crossing the ball from a corner for Vestergaard to pass Mat Ryan.
Early in the second half, Tariq Lamptey looked to move down the right before returning the ball to Gross, who shot over the bar.
It was the first time that the Brighton fans will see Lamptey in person following his January transfer from Chelsea, and he will make his debut on 23 June against Leicester.
In the 79th minute, Kyle Walker-Peters was brought down by Solly March, and the referee initially conceded a free kick before a prolonged VAR intervention changed the decision to a penalty.
Ings scored the penalty at the net on his return from injury, his seventh goal of the season, and his team held on for victory.
[ad_2]