After 114 minutes, the points were shared as Brighton played out a drab 1-1 draw at home to Southampton, on a night of VAR controversy.
The first half was all about the home side as they started quickly. Karou Mitoma failed to beat Saints keeper Joe Lumley one-on-one, and Georgino Rutter saw his curling effort crash back off the post.
The Seagulls took the lead in the 29th minute. Tariq Lamptey’s deep cross from the right wing evaded the Southampton defenders, bouncing in the box, and Mitoma arrived at the back post to nod home.
Embed from Getty ImagesCameron Archer scuffed over a sitter just before the break to remind Brighton they weren’t safe yet.
Southampton started the second half strongly and drew level in the 59th minute, when Flynn Downes smashed the ball home after it pinballed around the Albion box.
Ryan Manning created the chance, flooring Lamptey before firing across goal, deflecting into the path of Downes who blasted the ball past Bart Verbruggen.
Embed from Getty ImagesTen minutes later, the visitors thought they had taken the lead. Archer’s tap-in was onside, but fellow striker Adam Armstrong was deemed to be interfering with play in an offside position.
A controversial decision that will no doubt be heavily discussed, but the scoreline remained the same.
The result means Brighton finish the day second in the top-flight for the first time ever (after more than three games played). Southampton ended a run of nine straight away defeats in the league but will feel hard done by with the VAR call.
