The Seagulls struggled to get past Fraser Forster in the first half but Glenn Murray beat him with a header after a clever cross from Pascal Gross
GLENN MURRAY scored his third Brighton goal in eight days – but it was a South Coast snoozefest.
The Sunsport columnist scored two goals in the 3-0 win at West Ham and levelled in the second half with a header.
Steven Davis had given the Saints an early lead and while both teams had their chances in the second half, a draw was probably a fair result.
Not that anyone will remember this game for long.
Although often referred to as a derby, there is actually 70 miles between Brighton and Southampton. As the away fans sang before: ‘there’s only one south coast derby.”
And it was the Saints’ fans celebrating first, in the seventh minute, when James Ward-Prowse’s terrific free-kick hit the woodwork and the ball fell fortunately to Davis.
He headed the ball into the ground and Lewis Dunk did his best but was unable to stop the ball from crossing over the line.
Anthony Knockaert got behind the Southampton defence but blazed across the goal although Chris Hughton finally saw his team score.
Pascal Gross crossed from the right, Southampton defender Cedric appeared oblivious to any danger and the fact he was out of position and Murray sent a header into the top corner which Forster was unable to keep out.
There is no doubt, though, that Murray is decent in the air and half of his 14 Premier League goals have been headers.
Manolo Gabbiadini had a decent effort deflected for a corner after a fine pass from Ryan Bertrand although Dunk deserves credit for the tackle.
Brighton also had a good chance but the problem was it fell to Duffy and his finish was hopeless.
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