Downes claims a point but VAR denies Southampton victory at Brighton | Premier League

Maybe all is not lost for Russell Martin? After watching them hunt for shadows in the first hour against leaders Brighton, the Southampton boss saw his side finally take their first away point of the season thanks to an inspiring performance from teenager Tyler Dibling.

Had VAR not ruled out a Cameron Archer winning goal due to a questionable offside call, this would truly have been a night to remember for Martin, who was forced to hand 29-year-old goalkeeper Joe Lumley his Premier League debut. But as the draw sees Brighton move up to a dizzying second place, Fabian Hürzeler will be disappointed he didn’t finish the job after Kaoru Mitoma put them ahead in an almost entirely dominant first half.

They had no answer to a spirited comeback sparked by Dibling – an England U21 international who played for Chelsea for a year before returning to the south coast – and Flynn Downes equalized before the game’s controversial moment from Martin made angry. But despite their luck during the 13 minutes of stoppage time, Southampton’s much-maligned defense held firm.

An exhibition commemorating Brighton’s debut season in Europe opened at the city’s art museum last month and will run until the end of April. Judging by their rapid start under Hürzeler – who once made a living selling paintings – they may by now be preparing for a new adventure. The German had not exactly downplayed the club’s prospects of surpassing Roberto De Zerbi’s run to the quarter-finals of the Europa League last season, admitting before this game that it was important to have a goal if asked Whether qualifying for the Champions League is a possibility.

Hürzeler had warned that his side would suffer against a Southampton team that liked to keep possession, but it was fourth-choice goalkeeper Lumley – who made his last league appearance 18 months ago – who received a baptism of fire in a hectic opening period.

Yukinari Sugawara almost gave Mitoma the opener after a miscontrol under pressure, but his Japanese compatriot was unable to finish as Lumley burst from his goal. Georginio Rutter then shot narrowly wide before hitting the post with a curling shot from outside the box that took him to safety.

Southampton may be vulnerable in defense but they occasionally showed signs of their threat in attack, with Dibling forcing Matt O’Riley into a rash tackle that earned the midfielder a yellow card. But any hopes of them slowly regaining their footing were dashed when Lamptey’s cross evaded all three of the visitors’ centre-backs and Mitoma was able to direct his header past Lumley.

Moments later, tempers heated up when Kyle Walker-Peters tackled Rutter to the ground just outside the dugout and Hürzeler jumped out of his dugout demanding a yellow card, much to Martin’s obvious disgust. A few words were exchanged and eventually the Brighton manager was shown a yellow card, meaning he will receive a sideline ban for the next game against Fulham on Thursday.

With the impressive Yasin Ayari – the latest example of Brighton’s seemingly endless supply of young talent – in midfield, it seemed inevitable that they would extend their lead.

Instead, it was Archer who had a golden chance to equalize just before half-time after an excellent low cross from Sugawara, but was unable to find the net from close range. Another error from Jack Stephens allowed João Pedro to test Lumley from the edge of the penalty area while normal play resumed at the other end.

After surviving a lovely, flowing move from Brighton early in the second half, Southampton were soon back to their old tricks as Lumley gave the ball away as he tried to play out from the back and he looked relieved to see that the danger was averted. Taylor Harwood-Bellis went in for a cynical body check on Mitoma and Ayari forced Lumley into a save after conceding a volley.

Southampton desperately needed inspiration from somewhere and it came from the shining feet of Dibling. After fending off a fierce attack from Ayari, the teenager tackled Armstrong in the penalty area but his shot was blocked. The ball eventually found its way back to the striker and his shot was deflected into the path of Downes, who made no mistake from 12 yards out, silencing the home fans.

Martin thought things had gotten even better when another brilliant dibbing dribble released substitute Ryan Fraser on the left and Archer slotted in. He couldn’t believe his luck when VAR finally ruled out the goal after a significant delay because Adam Armstrong was judged to have intervened in the game from an offside position.

Dibling forced Bart Verbruggen into a save but it was Brighton who were frustrated as they missed several chances to win in the closing stages.