Brighton vs Southampton LIVE: Premier League preview, team news, stats and head-to-head

Brighton and Hove Albion moved up to second in the Premier League table despite failing to secure a win at home to bottom-placed Southampton.

Kaoru Mitoma took advantage of Saints’ weak defense and headed Brighton into the lead midway through the first half.

A win would have left Brighton six points behind leaders Liverpool, but they were pegged back when Flynn Downes scored the winner just before the hour mark.

Instead, they are tied with Manchester City for second place in points, goal difference and goals scored, but have a better direct record.

Southampton thought they had taken the lead shortly after Downes’ goal through Cameron Archer, but this was ruled out due to a questionable offside call as teammate Adam Armstrong was adjudged to have influenced the game.

Southampton remain bottom of the table with just five points from 13 games.

Brighton dominated the opening stages on Friday night, with Southampton almost being caught out several times trying to come from behind.

After 16 minutes, Georginio Rutter was inches away from giving Brighton the lead when he cut inside from the right and hit the post with his left-footed shot.

And they did take the lead when Tariq Lamptey – starting for the first time in an injury-hit league season – crossed from the right.

Jack Stephens missed his header and the ball bounced through to Mitoma, who evaded opponent Yukinari Sugawara and headed home.

But Brighton failed to capitalize on their lead and were punished when Armstrong’s blocked attempt went down perfectly, allowing Downes to strike from 16 yards.