Saints held by Seagulls

Mauricio Pellegrino's side looked on course for three points when their captain nodded them in front after just seven minutes at the Amex Stadium, but Glenn Murray's header shortly after the interval ensured the points were shared.

The result does, however, mean that Southampton extend their unbeaten run to three Premier League matches, ahead of next Saturday's home game with Burnley, which marks the final fixture before the next international break.

There were three changes for Saints from the side that beat West Brom last weekend, as Sofiane Boufal came into the starting line-up following his wonder goal against the Baggies, while Wesley Hoedt and James Ward-Prowse were also promoted into the team, with Maya Yoshida and Shane Long dropping to the bench, while Mario Lemina missed out with an ankle injury.

Fresh from his heroics last time out, Boufal played an important part as Southampton quietened the Amex crowed by snatching a seventh-minute lead.

The Morocco international drew a foul 25 yards out, with Ward-Prowse’s swerving free-kick slamming against the post. The disappointment was only fleeting, though, as Davis reacted swiftly to the rebound to nod home from a few yards out and out the visitors 1-0 up.

Brighton responded well, getting the ball in and around the Saints box on a couple of occasions, but the visiting defence stood firm, with Fraser Forster saving from Davy Propper’s header after the Dutch midfielder had met Anthony Knockaert’s in-swinging free-kick on the penalty spot.

But it was Saints who carved out the next golden opportunity, with Boufal producing good work down the right and cutting the ball back to Dušan Tadić just inside the area. However, after taking a touch to nicely open up space, his shot towards the far bottom corner was deflected just wide.

Brighton then went down the other end three minutes from the interval and carved out two good chances within the space of a few seconds, as first Knockaert fired across goal and wide at the back post from a very tight angle, after ghosting in to meet Jose Izquierdo’s deep cross.

They then went even closer as the ball was worked back over to Knockaert, who produced a delicate chip to the back post, only for Shane Duffy to head over from six yards while under pressure from Virgil van Dijk.

The equaliser did arrive for the hosts seven minutes after half-time, though. It came via a Pascal Gross cross from the right, which was stood up beautifully for Glenn Murray at the back post, with Fraser Forster unable to prevent his well-placed header going into the top corner.

Saints went agonisingly close to restoring their advantage with 20 minutes left, as Ryan Bertrand's clever low ball towards the near post picked out Manolo Gabbiadini, whose first-time shot with his left foot was probably heading in, only for Brighton's Lewis Dunk to slide in and divert the effort just over the bar.

Brighton then carved out two good opportunities of their own, with Izquierdo having a fierce shot blocked by van Dijk after cutting into space on his right foot in the area, before Duffy fired over moments later from a great position just inside the area.

Pellegrino was prompted into a first change of the afternoon with 18 minutes left, as Boufal made way for Nathan Redmond, with Shane Long and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg then later introduced for Tadić and Ward-Prowse.

Despite the changes, though, Saints could not find a winner, as they settled for a point from their trip along the south coast.

Head to Head Stats

• Possession (%)
  52

  48
• Shots
  7

  6
• Shots on target
  2

  1
• Corners
  2

  7
• Passes Complete
  395

  360