By Tim Hodges at the Amex
Brighton & Hove Albion 3 Southampton 0
Brighton and Hove Albion thrashed Southampton with their performance of the season at the Amex today.
Jake Forster-Caskey on his full debut and Matt Sparrow (twice), scored for the Albion, as the Amex atmosphere reached fever pitch.
Gus Poyet rang the changes. Casper Ankergren was dropped for the second time this season as Peter Brezovan made his first start of the season.
Steve Cook, recalled from loan at Bournemouth, replaced the suspended Lewis Dunk.
It was a fairly even first half with Albion’s best chance falling to Steve Cook, after Will Buckley got clear of the Saints defence and whipped in a low cross, however he could only drive his shot into the side netting.
As Southampton tried to gain control of the match Do Prado latched on to a cross from Connolly, but scooped the ball over from six yards out.
Albion old boys Harding and Hammond were getting some good natured stick from the Amex faithful. However, Harding lost his head, but was only cautioned for a two-footed lunge at Craig Mackail-Smith.
The Albion sensed his unease and quickly swapped Will Buckley to the right side to run at Harding.
Buckley’s quick-footed skills were too much for the former England Under-21 man and he was extremely fortunate to stay on the pitch as chopped Buckley down.
Albion were unable to capitalise on the resulting free kick, but soon after the uninjured Harding was substituted with five minutes left to play of the first half.
In those remaining five minutes Lambert had an effort cleared off the line by a combination of Greer and Dunk.
All square at half time, the Albion started the second half brightly. Cook made a marauding run down the flank but couldn’t quite pick out Mackail-Smith.
Then just after the 50-minute mark, Ricky Lambert lashed out at Adam El-Abd and the Saints man was immediately sent off.
Albion sensed their chance, Forster-Caskey casually picking up the ball from Matt Sparrow in midfield, hit a swerving 25-yard shot which Davies palmed around the post. From the resulting corner the 17-year-old then headed narrowly wide.
Albion were making the man advantage work, LuaLua was tormenting Richardson and Hoovield, although twice his crosses were just not quite good enough for Mackail-Smith to have a chance to convert.
