Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Follow all the action from St. Mary's Stadium
Brighton & Hove Albion provisionally climbed to sixth in the Premier League standings after they won 3-1 away to Southampton in a riveting Boxing Day clash.
A header from Adam Lallana and a stunning long-range strike by Solly March along with Romain Perraud’s own goal helped Brighton take their points tally to 24 - two more than seventh-placed Liverpool who play at Aston Villa later.
Brighton went ahead in the 15th minute when Lallana scored against his former club after he connected with March’s cross and sent his header into the net as goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu scuffed an easy save.
The visitors doubled their lead in the 35th minute after defender Perraud turned the ball into his own net while trying to clear a cross from Pervis Estupinan.
March made it 3-0 in the 55th minute with a sensational effort from outside the box after he cut in from the right side for a brilliant solo move. Brighton could have had a fourth goal shortly after but Kaoru Mitoma’s header went wide.
In the 73rd minute, Southampton were awarded a penalty for Pascal Gross’s foul on Samuel Edozie and although James Ward-Prowse’s spot-kick was stopped by keeper Robert Sanchez, the Southampton skipper nodded home on the rebound.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Diallo nips in to win possession from Gross. Estupinan unfairly bundles over Walker-Peters to put an end to the Saints' counter-attack.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Elyounoussi dominates Estupinan to attack a cross at the back post. The Norwegian's header loops up for Bazunu to safely catch.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Gross floats the free-kick towards the far post where Dunk is unable to win it. Both teams have made a positive start to this game.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Lallana picks out March by the right touchline. Perraud brings the winger down, handing Brighton a free-kick.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Caicedo controls a Southampton clearance, and Brighton keep the pressure on. The Seagulls are just as exciting to watch under Roberto De Zerbi as they were under Graham Potter.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton enjoy an early chance thanks to some fabulous feet from Mitoma. The Japanese star of the recent World Cup jinks towards goal from the left of the box, blasting at Bazunu from a tight angle to earn a corner. Southampton manage to deal with it.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Southampton make a positive start to the game, as Sanchez can't prevent Veltman's defensive header from going out for a corner. The hosts force another corner, and Sanchez makes a comfortable save from Elyounoussi.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton get this Boxing Day game underway! They're in their turquoise away strip. Southampton are in their usual red, white and black home kit.
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