Danny Welbeck’s opener two minutes into proceedings and Mohammad Salisu’s own goal were cancelled out by two Ward Prowse wonder strikes either side of half time. It takes the Saints captain up to nine goals for the season, his personal best in a Premier League campaign. Ralph Hassenhuttl hailed his captain as “amazing”
A trademark Ward Prowse free-kick on the stroke of half-time seemed pivotal to the switch the momentum Brighton had gained in the first half. Graham Potter said his side “were good value” for the two goal lead and the goal before the break and stressed “there’s a big difference between going into half time at 2-0 and 2-1. Welbeck in particular gave Salisu and Bednarek lots of problems, he played a large part in the own goal after some neat footwork and a fine pass to find Leandro Trossard, whose return pass back to him was turned into the net by Salisu.
Valentino Livramento was stretchered off in the first half after what looked like a serious knee injury. It will come as a huge blow to the 19-year-old who has already missed much of the season through injury. Hassenhuttl said it “looks very serious” and “the boy is very down”.
Brighton thought they had snatched a win late in the game but Pascal Gross’ goal was ruled out by VAR for a tight offside. The visitors would’ve left feeling hard done by had it counted after dominating large parts of the second half. Hassenhuttl said his side “showed a lot more belief” in the second half, also suggesting Brighton’s poor home form was at play in their downfall “we knew about their recent history of not winning at this ground, it was clear they were struggling a bit mentally”.
Welbeck’s goal came with the first attack of the game, a mix up from Fraser Forster who failed to claim a low cross left Welbeck with a tap-in. After struggling for goals at home Potter emphasised his attackers have had “some positive weeks” in training. Meanwhile Ward-Prowse’s equaliser came with the first shot in the second half, an interception from Oriol Romeu in Brighton’s half led to him laying it off for the Saints captain to thump home the equaliser in front of the travelling fans.
It leaves Southampton with just one win in seven, a win today would’ve taken them up to 10th, going above Brighton. Brighton also missed the chance to go into 10th today as they look to push on for their highest place finish in the top-flight. They sit in 11th after today, two places above their best ever finish. Potter said “it’s always been the long-term aim for the club to solidify ourselves in the top 10”
Potters side travel to Wolves on Saturday, meanwhile Southampton host Crystal Palace, with mid-table looming for all sides involved, there is still a strong will to finish the season strongly.
