Facebook Twitter Facebook Messenger Pinterest Email comment
South coast sides Brighton and Southampton took a point apiece from an underwhewlming 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium.
Southampton made much the brighter start and were in front after only six minutes when a James Ward-Prowse free kick hit the post and Steven Davis reacted first to head the rebound home.
The Seagulls' Jose Izquierdo was just unable to find Glenn Murray when a weaving run threatened to open up the visitors, and the home side had another half-chance when Davy Propper directed a header straight at keeper Fraser Forster.
But it was a low-key first half, with openings few and far between, Dusan Tadic's shot deflected wide as Southampton sought a second.
Chris Hughton's side were struggling to find any tempo in attack, with Anthony Knockaert left shaking his head in frustration after a cross hit a visiting defender and floated harmlessly through to Forster.
Moments later, Knockaert conjured an excellent cross and Shane Duffy, stretching at the far post, sent his header over the top.
Brighton began the second half in more purposeful mood and took only six minutes to level when Murray produced a fine header at the far post after a Pascal Gross cross from the right, with Forster getting a touch but unable to keep it out.
Soon afterwards, Gross fired in another dangerous cross, with Murray just unable to get there this time, as Brighton stepped up the pace and Southampton began to struggle for time on the ball.
As the game entered its final 20 minutes, Saints striker Manolo Gabbiadini saw an effort from a tight angle deflected over before, at the other end, Jose Izquierdo blasted in a powerful strike that floored Virgil van Dijk as it crashed off him on its way wide.
Duffy blasted a Knockaert cutback over moments later, but further chances for either south coast side proved scarce as both settled for a draw.