Danny Ings returned from injury on Monday to score a controversial winner from the penalty spot as Southampton came from behind to beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 and climb to fifth in the English Premier League.
Brighton took the lead from the spot, with Pascal Gross sending goalkeeper Alex McCarthy the wrong way after James Ward-Prowse handled the ball in the area.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men found an equalizer just before halftime, when Jan Vestergaard produced a towering header from a Ward-Prowse corner.
Photo: AFP
Then, with nine minutes remaining, substitute Ings fired home after Southampton were awarded a spot-kick, with Brighton players claiming the foul took place outside the area.
Hasenhuttl was delighted to see his team grind out a win while not at their best.
“I didn’t see the first penalty,” he said. “For the second one, that is why we have VAR, especially when it is about decisions if it is in or not then you need this.”
Brighton started the match well, taking the lead in the 26th minute when referee David Coote pointed to the spot after a Danny Welbeck cross hit the raised arms of Ward-Prowse and Gross converted.
Brighton looked to get forward at every opportunity while Southampton struggled to get going, but the Saints were level just before the break. Ward-Prowse continued his impressive record from set-pieces, crossing the ball from a corner for Vestergaard to head past powerfully past Mat Ryan.
Ings, who had been out of action for five weeks, was brought on at the start of the second half.
With 13 minutes to go, Kyle Walker-Peters was brought down by Solly March. The referee initially awarded a free-kick before a lengthy VAR intervention changed the decision to a penalty.
Ings made no mistake and the win lifts Southampton to 20 points, one behind fourth-placed Leicester City.
Brighton remain at 16th on 10 points.
Disappointed Brighton manager Graham Potter said that the first challenge appeared to take place outside the box.
“I don’t know if there was a second, but that’s what the referee seemed to think,” he told Sky Sports. “I thought it was quite an even game so I’m disappointed with the result. If it’s factual and the offense is inside and they’ve proved that’s the case, then that’s what it’s there for and it’s what you have to accept.”
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