Brighton 0-2 Southampton: Djenepo and Redmond strikes earn Saints win over 10-man Seagulls

Southampton secured their first win of the Premier League season with a 2-0 triumph over Brighton on Saturday.

A stunning second-half strike from substitute Moussa Djenepo and a late effort from Nathan Redmond saw the Saints to a comfortable victory come the end of the game.

Brighton had Florin Andone sent-off for an ugly challenge on Yan Valery, whilst VAR ruled out a goal from Lewis Dunk shortly before half-time

The most notable team news ahead of the game was that Saints deadline day signing Kevin Danso was handed his first start for the club, whilst Ryan Bertrand missed out with a minor shoulder problem.

Ralph Hasenhuttl looked to have lined his side up in a 4-2-2-2 system, and Danso took Bertrand’s place at left-back.

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 24: Leondro Trossard of Brighton and Hove Albion battles for possession with Yan Valery of Southampton during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton FC at American Express Community Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images) /

Brighton went with their now familiar three at the back and five across midfield, but Neal Maupay and Florin Andone joined Leandro Trossard in attack.

The first 30 minutes of the contest at the AMEX Stadium were short on goalmouth action, but referee Kevin Friend would have a big call to make as the clock ticked past the half hour.

Florin Andone and Yan Valery went in for a 50/50 challenge as the ball ran loose, but the Brighton man went well over the top of the ball; catching Valery high on his right leg.

Friend had no hesitation in brandishing a straight red card to Andone, meaning the Seagulls would have to play 60 minutes with 10 men.

A quick burst and a testing shot from Nathan Redmond then forced Matt Ryan into the first meaningful save of the game, but VAR would soon be involved in as the hosts thought they had taken the lead.

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Lewis Dunk met a Leandro Trossard corner with a powerful header and the ball flew in to Angus Gunn’s net. However, television pictures showed that Dunk’s teammate Dan Burn was standing in an offside position in front of the Saints shot-stopper and had also fouled him in the process.

Despite an average first-half from Saints, two big decisions had gone against their opponents and they now had a great chance to get a positive result. But could they take this chance?

It took Ralph Hasenhuttl just eight minutes to make his first chance of the afternoon and his call to throw Moussa Djenepo into the fray proved a great one.

With his first involvement, the summer signing collected a pass on the left flank, drove forward and cut inside his man before curling a stunning strike into the top corner; the bit of inspiration that Saints had needed up until that moment.

This opening strike seemed to have caused the game to really open up as Brighton looked for a way back into the contest.

Nathan Redmond placed a shot narrowly wide of the post after another positive run, whilst Che Adams had a close-range effort blocked well by a defender.

Up the other end, Trossard was still proving a problem. He laid the ball off for Davy Propper just outside the area, and the Dutchman really should have done better than place a shot straight at Angus Gunn.

Following this though, the action died down again and Saints did a good job of seeing their first league win of the season out.

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Brighton had thrown attacking players on, Saints had taken most of theirs off, but it was the visitors who doubled their lead in stoppage-time.

Sofiane Boufal jinked past his marker on the left and drove a low cross right across goal to the waiting Nathan Redmond, who had the simple task tapping home on the goalline to round off a 2-0 victory.

Saints now host Manchester United next Saturday, whilst Brighton travel to reigning champions Manchester City.

Brighton team

Ryan, Burn, Dunk, Duffy, Montoya, March (Locadia 68), Propper, Stephens (Gross 78), Trossard, Maupay (Murray 74), Andone

Subs not used: Button, Webster, Mooy, Bernardo

Saints team

Gunn, Valery (Djenepo 53), Vestergaard, Bednarek, Danso, Romeu, Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse, Redmond, Ings (Armstrong 83), Adams (Boufal 80)

Subs not used: McCarthy, Cedric, Yoshida, Obafemi

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