Che Adams scored again, but Southampton were tactically outplayed by a desperate Brighton, losing 1-2 at St. Mary’s.
Southampton went with an expected starting eleven in what could have been the most important match of the season. Takumi Minamino and Kyle Walker-Peters returned from their rest on Wednesday and Fraser Forster was between the posts further cementing his number one. However, Forster would be the one to let the team down initially as he got no where near a Lewis Dunk header which came from as far as the penalty spot.
Che Adams might be a ketchup bottle as he made it 3 in 3 with a well timed volley. A recycled corner was lofted toward Ryan Bertrand who headed the ball to the back post. Adams still had work to do, but his volley was as confident as the Sheffield United strike.
Saints had very little answers to the Brighton press. James Ward-Prowse and Ibrahima Diallo had to work magic within defending half possession. When Stuart Armstrong and Minamino found possession, they were typically able to drive forward in space, but finding these opportunities were extremely difficult. Che Adams’ hold up was crucial throughout the first half, but the 10 minutes into the second period, Southampton looked lost.
Outside of transition, or breaking a high press, Southampton appear clueless on how to attack. The centre-back diaganol is on maybe a handful of times a contest, and a low block leaves the team stuttering with their foot on the ball. Brighton looked more likely over and over again and deserved this victory. Playing midweek versus a team who does not, appears to be a death trap this season, but Saints’ fans are going to have a depressing week ahead of the FA Cup quarterfinal.
Here are the player ratings for Southampton, in which two players clearly played at a level above the rest.