By Tim Hodges from the Amex
Albion went five months back in time as indiscipline, lack of creativity and basic errors, saw them lose at home to Southampton again.
The Seagulls started brightly enough. Leandro Trossard again looking lively and industrious. Certainly Albion’s best chance of creating an opportunity.
Graham Potter went with a combination of Florin Andone and Neal Maupay up front, which was so effective in the latter stages at Watford.
Albion could be considered on top, until Andone appeared to lose his head and made a stud showing lunge at Yan Valery. Kevin Friend had no hesitation in brandishing a red card with just half an hour gone.
The Seagulls carried taking the game to Saints after the sending off. But Nathan Redmond and Danny Ings were looking increasingly dangerous.
Then on 38 minutes Lewis Dunk headed in a Trossard corner all play appeared to have stood still as he planted it past Angus Gunn in the Southampton goal.
Sure enough Lee Mason sitting 70 miles way decided that Gunn had been impeded by Dan Burn and for the second consecutive week, an Albion goal was chalked off by VAR.
Martin Montoya found himself with a free header opportunity, but nodded wide.
Albion continued to take the game to Southampton as the second half started but didn’t fashion a clear chance.
On 55 minutes seconds after coming on as a substitute Moussa Djenepo put the visitors ahead.
Albion tried to find away back Trossard going close and Davy Proper having two forgettable efforts.
As the game went on Albion committee more men forward. Solly March had a lot of the ball and Burn got forward and looked very effective in the wing position.
Jurgen Locadia, Glenn Murray and Pascal Gross were all introduced from the bench.
Locadia with the best effort, but from six yards his shot grazed the post.
Right at the death with Albion short at the back, Southampton poured forward and Redmond settled it as he poked home a second from close range.
Andone’s sending off was certainly the turning point. He was involved in a bizarre autication with Bernardo pre match. The Brazilian
full appearing to kick the Romanian forward in the backside as the players made their way across the Amex pitch. Perhaps after his dreadful tackle that put pay to Albion’s chances, there was a queue to do so afterwards.
Albion were the only Premier League team not to score on Saturday. Echoes of Chris Hughton’s shot shy teams!!
The Seagulls travel to champions Manchester City next Saturday.
