BRIGHTON’s VAR luck finally ran out as they were left cursing Southampton’s late penalty winner.
Graham Potter’s men were convinced that Solly March’s barge on Kyle Walker-Peters had taken place just outside the area.
Danny Ings came off the bench to score a late winning penalty for Southampton against BrightonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
VAR played a big role as it overturned the ref’s decision not to award the penaltyCredit: AFP
Referee David Coote seemed to agree and initially awarded a free-kick right on the edge.
But over in Stockley Park video assistant Peter Bankes had a different view and got onto his radio mic to advise Coote to change his decision.
And Danny Ings made no mistake with his 80th minute spot kick to send lucky Saints up to fifth place in the table.
Yet Brighton probably couldn’t have too many complaints after benefiting from video technology in their previous two games.
Aston Villa had a last-minute penalty overturned by VAR and Pascal Gross scored a controversial stoppage time equaliser against Liverpool only last week.
Yet that still won’t prevent Seagulls fans believing that their team were robbed of the victory which their earlier efforts had deserved.
The visitors were surprisingly slow out of the blocks and should have been behind after just four minutes when March was given far too much time to pick out Danny Welbeck with a low cross.
But the former England striker couldn’t get much power behind his first time shot and Alex McCarthy was able to get down to make an important save.
Ings goal made it 2-1 and moved Southampton up to fifth in the tableCredit: Reuters
Jannik Vestergaard headed Saints back into the game as they trailed at the AmexCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Yet Saints didn’t learn their lesson and only a last-ditch block by Jannik Vestergaard prevented Aaron Connolly from connecting with a dangerous cross from Gross.
Another decent chance flor Brighton came and went when skipper Lewis Dunk headed over unchallenged after beating the offside trap to Gross’ free-kick.
And they finally forced the breakthrough when March’s 25th minute cross was flicked on by Welbeck and struck the arm of Ward-Prowse in an unnaturally high position.
There have been a few contentious penalties at the Amex in recent weeks but there was no arguing with this one as Gross sent McCarthy the wrong way from the spot.
It was hard to believe that it was only a month ago that Southampton had gone top of the League for the first time in 32 years.
Brighton went ahead in the 26th minute through a Pascal Gross penaltyCredit: PA:Press Association
The Seagulls are down to 16th in the table after their latest defeatCredit: Reuters
They were in danger of being torn apart by a Brighton team who were clearly relishing the opportunity to play in front of a crowd once again.
But while the Seagulls were impressive in possession, they were not so convincing at defending set-pieces and were pegged back on the stroke of half-time.
Ward-Prowse’s corner found the nut of Vestergaard and the giant Danish centre-back beat Mat Ryan with a towering header into the top corner.
It was a real sickener for the 2,000 Brighton fans and their mood wasn’t helped by Ward-Prowse cupping his ear to them in celebration.
And those taunts almost came back to bite the Saints playmaker when another Gross free-kick was hammered just over from a tight angle by Adam Webster with the final kick of the half.
Vestergaard netted one of his trademark headers to level the score in the 45th minuteCredit: Guardian News & Media / Free to use by all titles in perpetuity under NMC agreement
Ings sealed a controversial win with an 81st minute spot kickCredit: PA:Press Association
Hassenhuttl knew his team were fortunate to reach the break on level terms and responded by sending on Danny Ings for Moussa Djenepo.
The Saints’ top scorer was back after undergoing minor knee surgery and had been sorely missed during his three-match absence.
And his introduction finally gave the visitors a focal point to an attack which had previously been struggling to make an impression.
It means Brighton are stuck in the bottom five and looking anxiously over their shoulders at the relegation scrap.
Saints are back above Manchester United and City and starting to believe that they can be genuine European contenders.
Oriol Romeu signs new Southampton contract until 2023
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
