VAR strikes again as Ings penalty earns Southampton late win at Brighton

Danny Ings TEAMtalk

A controversial penalty from Danny Ings earned Southampton a 2-1 Premier League win at Brighton on Monday evening.

The home side had taken the lead through Pascal Gross’ spot-kick, before Jannik Vestergaard powered home a header for the visitors to level the scores at the break.

But it was Saints who took all three points after VAR overturned what looked like a foul oustide the area, giving a penalty which Ings dispatched with ease.

Brighton boss Graham Potter made one change from the side that held champions Liverpool to a 1-1 draw in their last outing.

Defender Tariq Lamptey returned from a one-match ban which saw him miss the Liverpool game, while Neal Maupay dropped to the bench.

Southampton named an unchanged side from their 3-2 defeat to Manchester United, although Ings was named on the bench after a month on the sidelines with a knee problem.

Nathan Redmond also returned to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s matchday squad after a layoff for a hamstring problem, and sits among the substitutes.

Brighton broke the deadlock in 25th minute when referee David Coote pointed to the spot after James Ward-Prowse was judged to have handled the ball in the area and VAR agreed with the on-field decision.

Gross fired in the penalty after sending Alex McCarthy the wrong way to give the home side the advantage, to the delight of the newly-returned fans.

Pascal Gross TEAMtalk

Against the run of play, Southampton scored an equaliser just before the half-time break.

Ward-Prowse continued his impressive record from set-pieces, crossing a corner for Vestergaard to power a magnificent header past Mat Ryan.

Southampton more of a threat

Theo Walcott created the first real opening of the second period when he curked just wide from 18 yards on the hour mark.

Returning Saints substitute Ings glanced a header over the bar from a Stuart Armstrong cross, as the visitors continued to threaten.

Redmond volleyed over after brilliant work by Ings before Southampton finally snatched the lead with 10 minutes to go, although there was plenty of controversy involved.

Solly March took out Kyle Walker-Peters just outside the area, with Coote awarding a free-kick. But after a lengthy VAR review a penalty was awarded and Ings confidently swept home.

Maupay stabbed an effort wide as the Seagulls looked for an immediate response, but Saints held on to move fifth in the table. Brighton remain 16th.