[ad_1]
Danny Ings returned from damage to attain a controversial winner from the penalty spot as Southampton got here from behind to beat Brighton 2-1 on Monday and climb to fifth within the Premier League. Brighton took the lead from the spot, with Pascal Gross sending goalkeeper Alex McCarthy the flawed method after James Ward-Prowse dealt with the ball within the space. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s males discovered an equaliser simply earlier than half-time, when Jan Vestergaard produced a towering header from a Ward-Prowse nook. Then, with 9 minutes remaining, substitute Ings fired dwelling after Southampton have been awarded a spot-kick, with Brighton gamers claiming the foul occurred exterior the realm.
Hasenhuttl was delighted to see his staff grind out a win whereas not at their finest.
“I didn’t see the first penalty,” he mentioned. “For the second one, that is why we have VAR, especially when it is about decisions if it is in or not then you need this.
“I believe it was clear contained in the field. It is just not good to get a penalty towards you however the resolution from what I’ve seen was comparatively clear.”
Brighton started the match brightly in front of 2,000 supporters — back in the stadium for the first time in nine months after the easing of coronavirus restrictions.
They took the lead in the 26th minute when referee David Coote pointed to the spot after a Danny Welbeck cross hit the raised arms of Ward-Prowse and Gross converted.
Brighton looked to get forward at every opportunity while Southampton struggled to get going but Saints were level just before the break.
Ward-Prowse continued his impressive record from set-pieces, crossing the ball from a corner for Vestergaard to head past powerfully past Mat Ryan.
Ings, who had been out of action for five weeks, was brought on at the start of the second half.
With 13 minutes to go, Kyle Walker-Peters was brought down by Solly March. The referee initially awarded a free-kick before a lengthy VAR intervention changed the decision to a penalty.
Ings made no mistake and his side held on for the victory, which lifts Southampton to 20 points, one behind fourth-placed Leicester. Brighton stay 16th on 10 points.
Disappointed Brighton boss Graham Potter said the first challenge appeared to take place outside the box.
Promoted
“I do not know if there was a second however that is what the referee appeared to assume,” he told Sky Sports.
“I assumed it was fairly a fair sport so I’m disenchanted with the outcome. If it is factual and the offence is inside and so they’ve proved that is the case, then that is what Qit’s there for and it is what you need to settle for.”
Topics talked about on this article
(This story has not been edited by Newslivenation employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)