PL2 Report: Saints 0-1 Brighton

Max Sanders scored Brighton's winner with a long-range hit which found the top corner after 37 minutes.

Saints enjoyed the majority of possession, but couldn't find a leveller despite the late pressure.

Both sides fielded sides with plenty of first team experience, with nine of Saints’ starting eleven having a first team appearance to their name.

The likes of Steven Alzate and José Izquierdo, who have a combined 71 Premier League appearances between them, stood out amongst the Brighton team sheet.

There were early spells of pressure for both sides, who enjoyed using the slick St Mary’s pitch to start quick flowing attacks.

Yan Valery was the unlikely source of Saints’ first chance of the game, the full-back bursting down the left flank and forcing Rob Sanchez into a low save at his near post.

The left side provided some early promise for Dave Horseman’s side; Jake Vokins next to use that flank to fire a dangerous cross in towards Michael Obafemi who was eventually crowded out.

It was the visitors who were next to threaten, as Jayson Molumby glanced Reda Khadra’s deep cross inches wide with a diving header in the 34th minute.

Brighton went one better just three minutes later, Sanders’ long-range strike leaving Latham with no chance as it found the top corner.

Vokins looked to respond in first-half stoppage time, forcing Sanchez into a relatively comfortable save via a free-kick.

But it remained advantage Seagulls going into the break.

Saints went out second half looking for a quick response, with Obafemi finding space on the edge of the Brighton penalty area but skewing his shot over the bar.

The hosts continued to enjoy much of the early second 45 possession but failed to trouble Sanchez in the Brighton net; Dan N’Lundulu glancing a header wide of the goal following a dangerous Nathan Tella cross.

Both sides struggled to build up any form of serious momentum, causing the game to turn into a rather stop-start affair.

Saints had a call for a penalty in the 66th minute, with Tella’s mazy run resulting in a last-ditch Brighton challenge to turn the ball behind for a corner. Nothing doing for referee Adrian Quelch.

The hosts had an even greater chance ten minutes later, N’Lundulu twisting and turning inside the six yard box but unable to hit the target.
Saints’ pressure continued minutes later as Tella turned and hit a fierce effort which Sanchez did well to save and claim.

As the last ten minutes came into play it was all Saints, with Kayne Ramsay doing well to thwart a rare Alzate counter for Brighton with an inch-perfect challenge.

Ibrahima Diallo looked to get his side going four minutes from time, charging through midfield and feeding N’Lundulu whose curled effort missed the target.

Saints continued to control possession as the two sides went into six minutes of stoppage time but were unable to find an equaliser.

Next up is a visit to Manchester United in Premier League 2 on Friday night.

Head to Head Stats

• Possession (%)
  62

  38
• Shots
  14

  4
• Shots on target
  5

  1
• Corners
  4

  3
• Passes Complete
  468

  264