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
Substitution Leandro Trossard Evan Joe Ferguson
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Mara creates some space for himself outside the box and blasts well wide of Brighton's goal.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton huff and puff in Southampton's final third but can't create another shooting opportunity. If Southampton can somehow score again, the end of this match will be very interesting indeed.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Sanchez makes his second poor clearance in a row since his clash with Adams. Sarmiento intercepts a pass to bring Southampton's latest attack to an end.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Sarmiento buys a free-kick for Brighton as he's clipped by Lyanco. There's another Saints change incoming.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Sanchez is lucky to stay on the pitch, pushing Adams in the back as the pair go for a throughball. He's just been booked! The referee wisely talks to both players and leaves the incident at that.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Substitution Mohamed Amine Elyounoussi Sékou Mara
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Penalty Save Robert Lynch Sánchez
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