Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
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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
Southampton keep Brighton pinned after Ward-Prowse's initial free-kick is collected by Elyounoussi. They manage to force a corner.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Southampton are improving now they're pressing Brighton higher up the pitch. Djenepo gets a free-kick out of Estupinan.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
"You're going down with the Palace!" the Brighton fans crow. Trossard is judged to have strayed offside.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Dunk gets caught in an aerial sandwich between Adams and Elyounoussi. The referee rules in the Brighton captain's favour.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Ward-Prowse steps up and takes aim for the top left corner. The Englishman's free-kick isn't quite up to his usual standards, fizzing just wide of the left-hand post.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Edozie cuts inside March from the left and the Brighton man barges the 19-year-old in the back. The free-kick is in Ward-Prowse territory.
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton run through a nicely worked free-kick routine. Southampton manage to stand their ground and clear.
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