Brighton 1 Southampton 1: Controversial Finish as VAR Disallows Saints’ Winning Goal
RUSSELL MARTIN was left furious after Southampton was deprived of only their second victory of the season as VAR once again created turmoil.
Saints were riding high when Cameron Archer appeared to score a 67th-minute winner, providing the club with a much-needed glimmer of hope.
The drama unfolded after Flynn Downes leveled the score following Kaoru Mitoma’s opening goal for the high-flying Seagulls, who were eyeing a potential climb to second place with a win or a draw.
However, VAR continued to dampen the spirits of a Southampton team that appears destined for relegation before the festive season.
A lengthy VAR review by referee Jarred Gillett, which involved extensive zooming and line drawing, resulted in the disqualification of the goal for offside, leaving Martin and his team in disbelief.
The goal was ruled out not due to Archer’s position but because Adam Armstrong was offside and deemed to interfere with play as the cross came in.
Cameras captured Martin’s frustration as he swore while the Saints remained rock bottom of the league table.
It’s crucial to note that the Southampton side would remain at the bottom regardless of last night’s outcome at the Amex.
This was a significant reprieve for Brighton, who currently sit comfortably in second place, level on goal difference with Manchester City.
Brighton’s innovative approach as a football club has always been both groundbreaking and refreshing, yet last night’s event raises questions about their potential to become serious contenders.
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Data-driven recruitment is the key to their success, while young and ambitious manager Fabian Hurzeler has made a remarkable start to the season, but consistency remains essential.
With 23 points from their first 13 matches, this marks Brighton’s best beginning to a top-flight season.
Since the start of October, only leaders Liverpool have accumulated more points.
As anticipated, the hosts started strongly, with Georginio Rutter setting up Mitoma, who would have scored had it not been for Joe Lumley’s fingertips.
Rutter was active again, weaving through three defenders before curling a shot just wide.
It was no surprise when the French 22-year-old created Brighton’s best opportunity, cutting inside to strike the far post.
Brighton finally netted a well-deserved opener on 28 minutes, as Tariq Lamptey evaded Taylor Harwood-Bellis to assist Mitoma, who headed the ball home.
The Saints’ defending was abysmal, allowing the ball to bounce uncontested in the penalty area.
As the goal replayed on his iPad, Martin was seen shaking his head in disappointment.
He would have been better off playing Candy Crush than watching his team’s horrendous defending.
Meanwhile, Mitoma, another gem discovered by Tony Bloom, is now just one goal away from Shinji Okazaki’s record of 14 goals, making him the top Japanese scorer in the Premier League.
The North Stand erupted with chants of “You’re going down with the Palace,” which only further provoked Martin and his staff.
After a significant chance for Archer, who failed to convert a perfectly placed Yukinari Sugawara cross, Martin shouted, “f***ing come on.”
The second half began with Brighton appearing dominant again, as Lamptey and Welbeck combined well before Matt O’Reily sent in a cross that Mitoma couldn’t convert.
But the hosts were shocked when Downes unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box in the 58th minute.
The equalizer was fired in after the ball ricocheted out to the Saints midfielder following blocked attempts from Armstrong and Ryan Manning.
In a moment of disbelief, Southampton took the lead when Ryan Fraser’s cross found Archer just six yards out, allowing him to slot the ball home in the 67th minute before VAR intervened.
Brighton responded strongly with Rutter almost scoring with a sensational bicycle kick from Welbeck’s cross, but they couldn’t find a second goal.