Downes earns level however VAR denies Southampton victory at Brighton

Maybe all will not be misplaced for Russell Martin? Having watched them chase shadows for the primary hour towards high-flying Brighton, the Southampton supervisor noticed his aspect lastly choose up their first away level of the season due to an inspirational efficiency from {the teenager} Tyler Dibling.

Had VAR not dominated out a successful objective from Cameron Archer for a doubtful offside then this actually would have been an evening to savour for Martin, who was compelled at hand the 29-year-old goalkeeper Joe Lumley his Premier League debut. However whereas the draw strikes Brighton as much as the dizzy heights of second place, Fabian Hürzeler might be dissatisfied to not have completed the job after Kaoru Mitoma headed them in entrance throughout a primary half of just about whole domination.

That they had no reply to a spirited comeback that was sparked by Dibling – an England Beneath-21 worldwide who spent a 12 months on Chelsea’s books earlier than returning to the south coast – noticed Flynn Downes equalise earlier than the sport’s second of controversy left Martin fuming. However regardless of driving their luck throughout 13 minutes of stoppage time, Southampton’s much-maligned defence stood agency.

An exhibition commemorating Brighton’s debut season in Europe opened final month on the metropolis’s artwork museum and can stay on present till the tip of April. Judging by their speedy begin underneath Hürzeler – who used to promote work for a residing – they may very well be making ready for a brand new journey by then. The German had not precisely performed down the prospects of the membership exceeding the achievements of Roberto De Zerbi’s run to the final eight of the Europa League final season, admitting earlier than this sport that it is very important have a goal when requested if Champions League qualification was a risk.

Hürzeler had warned that his aspect must undergo towards a Southampton crew that enjoys preserving possession nevertheless it was fourth-choice goalkeeper Lumley – who made his final league look 18 months in the past – who was given a baptism of fireside throughout a frantic opening interval.

Yukinari Sugawara virtually gifted Mitoma a gap objective after miscontrolling underneath stress however his Japanese compatriot couldn’t apply the end when Lumley charged out of his objective. Georginio Rutter then flashed a shot simply large earlier than placing the publish with a curling shot from exterior the world that cannoned away to security.

Southampton could also be weak in defence however they confirmed occasional glimpses of their menace in assault, with Dibling forcing Matt O’Riley right into a rash problem that earned the midfielder a yellow card. However any hopes that they had been slowly discovering their ft had been dashed when Lamptey’s cross eluded all three of the visiting centre-backs and Mitoma was capable of steer his header previous Lumley.

Tempers flared moments later when Kyle Walker-Peters hauled down Rutter proper in entrance of the dugouts and Hürzeler leapt out of his dugout demanding a reserving, a lot to Martin’s clear disgust. A couple of phrases had been exchanged, with the Brighton supervisor finally proven a yellow card meaning he will get a touchline ban for his or her subsequent sport towards Fulham on Thursday.

With the spectacular Yasin Ayari – the newest instance of Brighton’s seemingly infinite provide of rising expertise – prompting in midfield, it appeared inevitable that they’d lengthen their lead.

As a substitute it was Archer who had a golden alternative to equalise from Sugawara’s glorious low cross simply earlier than half-time however he was unable to hit the goal from shut vary. One other mistake from Jack Stephens allowed João Pedro to check Lumley from the sting of the world as regular service was resumed on the different finish.

Having survived a beautiful flowing Brighton transfer initially of the second half, Southampton had been quickly again to their previous tips when Lumley gave the ball away as he tried to play out from the again and he seemed relieved to see the hazard snuffed out. Taylor Harwood-Bellis went into the ebook for a cynical bodycheck on Mitoma and Ayari compelled Lumley right into a save after conceding with a volley.

Southampton desperately wanted inspiration from someplace and it got here from the dazzling ft of Dibling. Having shrugged off a heavy problem from Ayari, {the teenager} picked out Armstrong within the field however his shot was blocked. The ball finally discovered its means again to the striker and his effort deflected into the trail of Downes, who made no mistake from 12 yards out to stun the house supporters into silence.

Martin thought that issues had obtained even higher when one other sensible Dibling dribble set the substitute Ryan Fraser free down the left and Archer tapped in. He couldn’t consider his luck when VAR finally dominated out the objective after a big delay as a result of Adam Armstrong was deemed to have been interfering with play from an offside place.

Dibling compelled Bart Verbruggen right into a save nevertheless it was Brighton who had been left annoyed as they spurned a lot of possibilities to win it late on.