Ward-Prowse magic hauls Saints to a draw at Brighton

James Ward-Prowse scored twice from range to haul Southampton to a 2-2 draw with Brighton, who are still without a win at home in 2022.

Graham Potter’s men edged two goals ahead courtesy of an early Danny Welbeck strike and a Mohammed Salisu own goal but Saints skipper Ward-Prowse scored his 14th Premier League free-kick and then made it 2-2 with another fantastic effort.

Brighton thought they had won it late on when Pascal Gross rocketed in a shot from 25 yards but the VAR spotted he was offside in the build-up.

Despite beating Tottenham and Arsenal on the road, Graham Potter’s men had lost four of their last five home Premier League games, all without scoring. That run of eight hours without a goal at the Amex was ended inside two minutes when Danny Welbeck forced home from close range after some questionable defending from Salisu and goalkeeper Fraser Forster. It was Welbeck’s sixth goal against Southampton – the most he’s scored in his career against the same opponent.

On-loan Chelsea man Tino Livramento struck the woodwork for the Saints in a search for an equaliser and his luck didn’t improve when he was stretchered off with a serious looking knee injury that Ralph Hasenhuttl called “very serious” in his post-match press conference.

Brighton doubled their advantage when a Leandro Trossard pass in search of Welbeck was turned past his own goalkeeper by Salisu.

Potter’s team have won eight of their nine games when scoring first this season so a comeback looked unlikely – but Ward-Prowse had other ideas.

The England midfielder closed the gap to David Beckham’s 18-goal free-kick record in the Premier League when sending an intelligent finish from 22 yards into the bottom corner.

Saints were buoyant and laid siege to the Brighton goal after the break. A spell of domination was capped by a majestic Ward-Prowse strike from 22 yards, set up by an Oriel Romeu backheel. It was a magical goal.

Potter looked to his bench for inspiration and his changes took the game back in Brighton’s favour with Gross making his mark. The midfielder thought he’d scored a dramatic winner, but a very close offside call cut short the celebrations, leaving Albion with just one win in their last 14 home matches.

What’s next?

Brighton face a Premier League trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux next Saturday, with the chance to strengthen their bid for a top-half finish; kick-off 3pm.

Southampton will host Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace at St Mary’s Stadium; the reverse fixture produced a lively 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park in mid-December; kick-off 3pm.

Brighton’s remaining fixtures

May 30 – Wolves (a)

May 7 – Man Utd (h), live on Sky Sports

May 15 – Leeds (a)

May 22 – West Ham (h)

Southampton’s remaining fixtures

May 30 – Crystal Palace (h)

May 7 – Brentford (a)

Date TBC – Liverpool (h), live on Sky Sports

May 22 – Leicester City (a)