Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Southampton 1
The Albion are out of the League Cup after Charlie Austin gave the Saints the lead with just three minutes left.
A match in front of just over 13,000 was a little disjointed as both sides fielded largely second choice teams.
The first incident saw David Button on his full debut save excellently from Mohammed Elyounoussi, with the follow up from Matt Targett headed away from point-blank range by Ben Barclay.
Button made several good saves throughout the match and is altogether bigger and more imposing than Mat Ryan.
Jurgen Locadia looked a little laboured and at times half-hearted. Albion had chances through Victor Gyokeres and Beram Kayal.
Yves Bissouma and Pascal Gross looked a good pairing for Albion in midfield as Markus Suttner supported well up the left flank.
Locadia did show some nice touches late in the half and in the second half as he and Bissouma linked up well.
Locadia has a great talent in holding the ball up, spinning the defender and bringing the wide players into play.
Ali Jahanbakash flattered to deceive a little, showing some nice touches and deft flicks also chasing back well to win back possession. But so far we are not seeing the quick and skilful attacking midfielder that we expect for the £17 million the Albion spent on him.
Gyokeres and Locadia both found Saints goalkeeper Angus Gunn in good form as Albion looked to break the deadlock.
But it was the introduction of Charlie Austin that found out Albion.
First Button mis-kicked and Austin pounced but Albion cleared their lines. Then moments later the veteran striker headed in a Nathan Redmond cross with just minutes left.
Despite five minutes of injury time and the introduction of Aaron Connolly, Albion couldn’t create a chance.
The Seagulls will put yet another early League Cup exit behind them as they look to take on Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday (1 September) at the Amex at 3pm.
