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Brighton 0-1 Southampton: Premier League – Player Ratings

By Alastair Case

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 30: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton battles for possession with Yves Bissouma of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton FC at American Express Community Stadium on March 30, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 30: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton battles for possession with Yves Bissouma of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton FC at American Express Community Stadium on March 30, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /
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BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 30: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton FC at American Express Community Stadium on March 30, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 30: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton FC at American Express Community Stadium on March 30, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Southampton claimed their second consecutive win in the Premier League against a lacklustre Brighton side at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.

Although the home side enjoyed greater possession, they lacked any real penetration against a new look Southampton back four.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has indicated that he will be looking to switch permanently to four at the back next season as opposed to the five he has favoured to date. With Vestergaard missing from the starting line up, Saints started with Bednarek and Yoshida at the back, whilst Armstrong and the newly fit Danny Ings were restored to the first eleven.

It was a bold selection in the circumstances, especially in a must not lose scenario and it paid dividends for the Southampton boss as a 53rd minute finish from skipper Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was sufficient to see off their relegation rivals. With Cardiff unfortunate to lose today against Chelsea, it could prove to be a vital win in the battle for survival. Here are the Saints player ratings from Saturday’s performance: