Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
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Brighton & Hove Albion provisionally climbed to sixth in the Premier League standings after they won 3-1 away to Southampton in a riveting Boxing Day clash.
A header from Adam Lallana and a stunning long-range strike by Solly March along with Romain Perraud’s own goal helped Brighton take their points tally to 24 - two more than seventh-placed Liverpool who play at Aston Villa later.
Brighton went ahead in the 15th minute when Lallana scored against his former club after he connected with March’s cross and sent his header into the net as goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu scuffed an easy save.
The visitors doubled their lead in the 35th minute after defender Perraud turned the ball into his own net while trying to clear a cross from Pervis Estupinan.
March made it 3-0 in the 55th minute with a sensational effort from outside the box after he cut in from the right side for a brilliant solo move. Brighton could have had a fourth goal shortly after but Kaoru Mitoma’s header went wide.
In the 73rd minute, Southampton were awarded a penalty for Pascal Gross’s foul on Samuel Edozie and although James Ward-Prowse’s spot-kick was stopped by keeper Robert Sanchez, the Southampton skipper nodded home on the rebound.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton's impressive Premier League season continues then. Southampton have work to do. That's all for now. Goodbye!
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
The win lifts Brighton to sixth in the Premier League table. The Seagulls didn't muster a shot in the last half hour of this match, but they had the three points wrapped up by then. They were impressive. Southampton go bottom as Wolves have won away to Everton.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton have comfortably won this battle of the south coast! De Zerbi's men were much too good for Southampton as they went in at half-time with a commanding lead, while March scored with a stunning strike in the second. Ward-Prowse pulled a goal back for the Saints, but that's all the hosts deserved.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
FULL-TIME: SOUTHAMPTON 1-3 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Southampton's fightback has long been over. Brighton have steadied the ship and are sailing to the win now.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
There'll be four more minutes of this. Brighton have been home and dry for some time.
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