Brighton took the lead in the first half with a stunning header from Kaoru Mitoma, while Flynn Downes equalized for Southampton an hour into the match. Shortly after, Cameron Archer converted a cross from Saints substitute Ryan Fraser.
After a VAR review lasting over four minutes, it was determined that Archer was onside, but Adam Armstrong was penalized for being offside, despite not touching the ball, as he was deemed to have interfered with goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
Southampton manager Russell Martin expressed his frustration to Sky Sports, stating, “I find it hard to accept. We were informed that it affected Bart Verbruggen’s ability, and if Adam’s run had moved Verbruggen from his position, I would understand the decision, but he hasn’t moved. I cannot see how it has affected the goalkeeper. It is still human error in my opinion. The mistake is that it’s not clear and obvious enough to be corrected. The on-field decision carries weight. I am frustrated.”
As a result, Southampton remains at the bottom of the league, settling for their first point away from home.
Martin praised his team's performance, saying, “They have been gaining confidence. We were excellent and went toe to toe with a team that has moved up to second place.”
Brighton's draw elevated them to second in the standings, level on points and goal difference with Manchester City.
The disallowed goal was a well-executed play, with Tyler Dibling evading three Brighton defenders in his own half before passing to Fraser. The midfielder's low cross bypassed Armstrong and was finished by Archer at the far post, only to be ruled out, much to Martin's dismay.
The official ruling stated, “Armstrong was in an offside position and deemed to be impacting Verbruggen’s ability to play the ball.”
The match concluded with additional drama during 13 minutes of stoppage time when Brighton substitute Simon Adingra's shot found the net but struck the outside of the post, denying a late winner.
At the conclusion of the match, managers Martin and Fabian Hurzeler confronted one another, subsequently accusing each other of showing a lack of respect.
Both managers received yellow cards during the heated encounter; Hurzeler for gesturing with an imaginary card in the first half, and Martin for his response to further protests from the Brighton manager following a foul committed by Downes.
“It is crucial to maintain respect in our interactions,” Hurzeler stated. “That is how I was raised.”
Martin, however, was not impressed by Hurzeler’s behavior on the sidelines.
“The manager chose to comment on respect,” Martin remarked. “I have never seen a manager attempt to get as many players booked as he did. Respect must be mutual and reciprocal.” AP