Brighton & Hove Albion 1-2 Southampton: Danny Ings completes Saints comeback on return from injury

Danny Ings returned from injury to score the winner with a penalty as Southampton came back to edge an entertaining Premier League encounter at Brighton.

Ings, back after a month out with a knee injury, came on as a half-time substitute and converted from the spot after VAR penalised Solly March for a foul on Kyle Walker-Peters.

Referee David Coote initially awarded the visitors a free-kick on the edge of the Brighton box after March tangled with the Southampton full-back, whose momentum carried him forward.

But despite multiple camera angles appearing inconclusive, his decision was overturned.

Pascal Gross had opened the scoring for the hosts with a penalty after a handball from Saints captain James Ward-Prowse.

And while Brighton impressed they were punished for failing to add to their tally on the stroke of half-time.

Ward-Prowse’s pinpoint delivery from a corner on the right saw Jannik Vestergaard power a header into the top left corner to equalise.

Earlier Brighton had become the latest Premier League side to welcome back 2,000 supporters after a nine-month absence.

Ings helps Saints to up-tempo finish

While Hasenhuttl is an accomplished pianist and has reportedly performed in front of his players, he will have been frustrated by the off-tune showing he saw from them during the first period.

Brighton’s high pressing saw Saints cough up possession cheaply on the edge of their own penalty area on several occasions.

And as they struggled to play out from the back there was a noticeable absence of rhythm to their play.

When Danish defender Vestergaard levelled the scores, he did so with Southampton’s first effort on target in the game.

However, the half-time introduction of Ings, on for Moussa Djenepo, galvanised the visitors and added some sparkle to their attacking play.

The England forward’s deft touch brilliantly released Stuart Armstrong, as Theo Walcott went close with a curling effort from 20 yards.

His ball juggling skills and quick thinking also provided fellow substitute Nathan Redmond with a superb chance and he supplied the coup de grace from 12 yards, keeping his composure following a lengthy delay.

Unfortunate Brighton

One of the biggest criticisms that has been levelled at Brighton is that they do not reap the rewards their fluent football deserves, particularly in attack.

Prior to kick-off only strugglers Sheffield United, Burnley and Manchester United had scored less goals at home than the Seagulls this term.

And that, plus another failing – their weakness defending set-pieces – ensured their winless start on their own patch continued.

Danny Welbeck, Lewis Dunk and Gross all had good opportunities to ensure Graham Potter’s side went into the interval with a healthy lead.

Instead they found themselves level after allowing the tallest player on the pitch a free run to connect with Ward-Prowse’s corner.

Only Leicester (7) have now conceded more set-piece goals (apart from penalties) in the Premier League this season than Brighton (6).

And while Aaron Connolly saw his close-range effort saved with the score at 1-1, the manner of their defeat appeared to add an element of misfortune to their own shortcomings.

More to follow.