Brighton 1 - Southampton 1: Match Report - Glenn Murray strikes again to earn a point

GLENN Murray was forced to wait for his opportunity to make his mark this season but now the striker appears intent on making up for lost time.

GlennGETTY

Glenn Murray struck again for Brighton to ensure the points were shared

A third goal in two games from the 34-year-old striker ensured Chris Hughton’s Brighton fought back after Southampton’s Steve Davis headed Mauricio Pellegrino’s side ahead after just six minutes.

Brighton’s recovery from falling behind to a side who were eyeing seventh spot was another positive sign for Hughton as his side attempt to establish themselves in the top flight.

At home, Albion are looking resilient with only one defeat – a 2-0 loss to Manchester City on the opening day – to their name while Murray’s two goals nine days earlier helped them secure a first away win at West Ham.

This result left them in mid-table – a position Hughton insists does not flatter them.

And the Brighton manager can be equally satisfied last season’s 23-goal leading scorer is finding his feet after stepping into the starting line-up when Tomer Hemed was banned for three games for a stamp on Newcastle’s DeAndre Yedlin.

Murray has grabbed his chance, and with Hemed returning to the bench yesterday, Hughton believes he is in an enviable position.

Right at this moment I am in the ideal position where I have got two number 9s who are really pushing to get a place in the team

Chris Hughton

“Right at this moment I am in the ideal position where I have got two number 9s who are really pushing to get a place in the team,” said Hughton.

“Hemed was in really good form before the ban and Glenn would say the fact he was injured restricted his opportunities. It is the best position for me to have two who are really pushing to have a start.

“Hemed had a really good summer, and came back in really good shape. He was really unfortunate with the ban but if these things motivate a player to stay in the team, with other players pushing them, it’s the best position for a manager to be in.”

It looked as though it would be a long afternoon for Brighton when Davis stooped to head home after James Ward-Prowse’s sixth minute free-kick came back off the post.

Southampton, though, were unable to press their advantage and while both sides struggled to get going, Brighton were eventually rewarded for picking up the tempo when Murray headed home from Pascal Gross’s cross.

Gross has now provided an assist for seven of Brighton’s 10 goals, ranking him third in the Premier League assist table behind Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva.

Steve DavisGETTY

Steve Davis gave Southampton the lead after just six minutes

Questions were asked of Fraser Forster’s failure to keep out Murray’s 51st minute header, but Pellegrino defended his goalkeeper.

He said: “It was a bit unlucky, the ball deflected off Cedric’s head and surprised a little bit our goalkeeper, but it’s part of football.

“From the outside every action looks simple but from the inside every action is completely different.

“I see the team competing well. In terms of making right decisions in different moments. This is something I think the team is growing, a little bit more mature.”

Brighton (4-4-2): Ryan 7; Saltor 6, Duffy 9, Dunk 8, Bong 7; Knockaert 8, Stephens 6, Propper 7, Izquierdo 6 (March 86); Gross 7 (Brown 83), Murray 7. Booked: Duffy, Bong, Murray. Goal: Murray 51

NEXT UP: Swansea (a), PL Sat.

Southampton (4-1-4-1): Forster 6; Soares 5, Van Dijk 8, Hoedt 7, Bertrand 7; Romeu 8; Tadic 6 (Long 83), Ward-Prowse 6 (Hojbjerg 83), Davis 7, Boufal 6 (Redmond 72,6); Gabbiadini 6. NEXT UP: Burnley (h), PL Sat.

REFEREE: N Swarbrick (Lancashire).

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