Brighton & Hove Albion ended their pre-season campaign with a 3-1 loss to a new look, Premier League Southampton side at The Amex.In Albion’s final pre-season friendly before the visit of Sheffield Wednesday on 9th August, Aaron Hughes and Chris O’Grady made their home debuts in front of an Amex crowd of 7,296 people.
Sami Hyypia’s side started well but lacked any real threat in the final third, while between the sticks, debutant David Stockdale made a fine save with his legs to deny Steven Davis.
The Saints took the lead through new boy Dusan Tadic who excellently finished on the turn past Albion debutant David Stockdale after 18th minutes.
Just before half time Southampton doubled their lead with the help of a rebound, after Graziano Pelle’s shot deflected straight into the path of Steven Davies, who calmly slotted home.
The visitors saved the best until last as James Ward-Prowse’s 25-yard strike wrapped the game up for the Saints, after the midfielder won possession on the edge of the Albion area just past the hour mark.
Kazenga Lua Lua drove at the heart of Southampton’s defence but his shot went wide of the post.
On the hour mark, Stockdale had to be alert to handle Davies’ stinging volley, before Albion defended well to block Tadic’s effort, after good link up play with Lloyd Isgrove.
LuaLua then netted a late consolation after he fired past Artur Boruc to pull one back for the Seagulls with 15 minutes remaining.
Ward-Prowse then almost extended Southampton’s advantage, after he delivered a dangerous dead ball into the heart of Albion’s defence, but Maya Yoshida couldn’t react quick enough and fired over.
With ten minutes remaining Craig Mackail-Smith fizzed a low drive across the face of Southampton’s box which was met by substitute Vitalijs Maksimenko, but he fired his effort into the side netting.
The last chance of the game fell to Southampton’s Graziano Pelle but the striker lashed his effort over the bar.
Brighton kick off their Championship campaign next Saturday (August 9th) as they welcome Sheffield Wednesday to The Amex for Sami Hyypia’s first competitive match in charge.
The fixtures then come thick and fast, as Cheltenham visit The Amex the following Tuesday for the start of Brighton’s league cup outing.
The Albion then head on their travels visiting Birmingham and Leeds, before returning to The Amex on Saturday 23rd to welcome Bolton.
Original article
Sami Hyypia’s side started well but lacked any real threat in the final third, while between the sticks, debutant David Stockdale made a fine save with his legs to deny Steven Davis.
The Saints took the lead through new boy Dusan Tadic who excellently finished on the turn past Albion debutant David Stockdale after 18th minutes.
Just before half time Southampton doubled their lead with the help of a rebound, after Graziano Pelle’s shot deflected straight into the path of Steven Davies, who calmly slotted home.
The visitors saved the best until last as James Ward-Prowse’s 25-yard strike wrapped the game up for the Saints, after the midfielder won possession on the edge of the Albion area just past the hour mark.
Kazenga Lua Lua drove at the heart of Southampton’s defence but his shot went wide of the post.
On the hour mark, Stockdale had to be alert to handle Davies’ stinging volley, before Albion defended well to block Tadic’s effort, after good link up play with Lloyd Isgrove.
LuaLua then netted a late consolation after he fired past Artur Boruc to pull one back for the Seagulls with 15 minutes remaining.
Ward-Prowse then almost extended Southampton’s advantage, after he delivered a dangerous dead ball into the heart of Albion’s defence, but Maya Yoshida couldn’t react quick enough and fired over.
With ten minutes remaining Craig Mackail-Smith fizzed a low drive across the face of Southampton’s box which was met by substitute Vitalijs Maksimenko, but he fired his effort into the side netting.
The last chance of the game fell to Southampton’s Graziano Pelle but the striker lashed his effort over the bar.
Brighton kick off their Championship campaign next Saturday (August 9th) as they welcome Sheffield Wednesday to The Amex for Sami Hyypia’s first competitive match in charge.
The fixtures then come thick and fast, as Cheltenham visit The Amex the following Tuesday for the start of Brighton’s league cup outing.
The Albion then head on their travels visiting Birmingham and Leeds, before returning to The Amex on Saturday 23rd to welcome Bolton.
Original article