Brighton failed to take advantage of their chances and were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Southampton.
Kaoru Mitoma’s header was cancelled out by Flynn Downes in the 59th minute, in an entertaining game that wasn’t shy of refereeing controversy.
Downes was lucky to still be on the pitch a minute after his goal. He pulled down Joao Pedro for his fifth foul and was fortunate not to receive a second yellow – and was promptly subbed off.
Embed from Getty ImagesMore controversy shortly followed. Cameron Archer had scored a goal initially deemed offside, yet after a five minute VAR check, he was deemed onside – but Adam Armstrong was deemed to interfere with play in an offside position.
Brighton dominated the first half. Georginio Rutter smashed the far-post with a curled strike 16 minutes into the game.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Seagulls made their siege count. Tariq Lamptey swung a gorgeous ball in the box which was calmly headed home by Mitoma from six yards out.
Southampton could have equalised just before half-time, but Archer shinned his shot over from six yards out.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd it would be the Saints that scored next, despite Brighton’s momentum. Tyler Dibling drove up the pitch, and following a blocked Armstrong shot, Downes smashed home the equalised from close-range.
After the VAR debacle, the game remained tense but neither team could capitalise, despite 10 minutes added time.
Brighton reach 2nd in the Premier League via alphabetical order ahead of Manchester City, albeit not the way they hoped. Southampton stay 20th.
