Saints Marching
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Southampton 1-1 Brighton- Premier League: Three Match Takeaways

By Joe Mcindoe

Southampton's Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England, on July 13, 2020. (Photo by PETER POWELL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PETER POWELL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton's Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England, on July 13, 2020. (Photo by PETER POWELL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PETER POWELL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Southampton’s Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl (C) congratulates Southampton’s English defender Jack Stephens (L) (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton’s Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl (C) congratulates Southampton’s English defender Jack Stephens (L) (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

A second half rally sees Southampton take a share of the points against Brighton.

Danny Ings’ 20th Premier League goal of the season cancelled out a first half strike from Neal Maupay.  While the result does very little for SFC’s league standing it does effectively secure Albion’s place in the league next season.

Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men are now unbeaten in five and move level with Everton in 11th place. With very little to play for the manager made multiple changes to the starting lineup, which appeared to negatively affect the flow of the game.

The team news saw rare appearances for Jake Vokins and Will Smallbone. With Kyle Walker peters left on the bench it was down to the outgoing Pierre-Emile Højbjerg to deputize at right back.

The first half saw very little in the way of positive play for Saints, as they struggled to string passes together and were a little lackadaisical at times. Brighton were no great shakes themselves but did enough to edge in front before the half an hour mark.

The deadlock was broken as the hosts failed to deal with the ball in from a throw. Glenn Murray Provides the flick on for Maupay, who has no hesitation in working himself into position and firing past Alex McCarthy.

Despite having three defenders on the scene, the hosts failed to close down Maupay’s space. The attacker gets a good connection on the ball, and is assisted by a deflection off of Jan Bednarek’s boot.

The introduction of Walker-Peters after the break provided his side a much-needed shot of energy. The Hampshire side dominated the next 45 minutes and will consider themselves unlucky to only have taken a point from the night’s affair.

A blistering shot from Jannik Vestergaard forced a brilliant save from seagulls’ goal-keeper Matt Ryan,  Vokins fired just wide, while Che Adams had his attempt cleared off the line.

Ultimately, this game is not going to go down as a classic, but there is still much to be gleaned from the evening’s display.  That said here are the three key takeaways from Southampton 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 1.