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Brighton vs Southampton: A tactical and statistical analysis of Saints’ win

By Marc Walker

Southampton's English defender Kyle Walker-Peters (L) is fouled by Brighton's English midfielder Solly March (R) leading to a penalty during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Southampton at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on December 7, 2020. (Photo by Mike Hewitt / 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 MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton's English defender Kyle Walker-Peters (L) is fouled by Brighton's English midfielder Solly March (R) leading to a penalty during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Southampton at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on December 7, 2020. (Photo by Mike Hewitt / 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 MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Saints benefit from VAR again

Saints started slowly and went behind when Brighton were awarded a penalty – the ball clearly hitting James Ward-Prowse’s arm and, under new rules, there was no other choice to be made.

It looked very much like this would be a rare moment where Saints were on the wrong end of a VAR call and a result in the process. Recent research into VAR decisions has Saints benefitting with a net score of +3 goals.

However, there was still a twist at the end of the game as a borderline penalty was given in their favour. TV replays proved inconclusive in showing whether Kyle Walker-Peters was brought down in the box or outside it, but the video assistant overturned the referee’s original call and awarded a spot-kick.

Danny Ings duly dispatched past Matt Ryan and gave Saints a hard-fought win, although there will be many debates as to whether a penalty was rightfully given or not.