Southampton 2-2 Brighton 17/09/18: Three Key Takeaways

By Marc Walker | Sep 18, 2018

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton (2R) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with team mates during the Premier League match between Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion at St Mary's Stadium on September 17, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

2 of 4

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 17: Mark Hughes, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to during the Premier League match between Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion at St Mary’s Stadium on September 17, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /

Game management must be better

Saints had worked incredibly hard to get a 2-0 lead and it may have seemed like they had done enough to win the game.

However, Brighton were allowed to put the pressure on and were given a criminal goal to get back into the contest; Shane Duffy with a free header from a set-piece that was always likely to be a way back in for the Seagulls.

It meant that defensive changes were delayed by Mark Hughes with the lead so slender once more, and the momentum swung towards Chris Hughton’s side immediately.

From that point on, the Saints players seemed panicked and started rushing their play instead of piecing together attacking moves.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Mario Lemina had completely controlled the midfield area and not given Brighton’s players a kick in the first period, but that completely disappeared after half-time.