Southampton 1-2 Brighton: Player ratings as Leandro Trossard earns Seagulls win

14 March 2021 17:24

Leandro Trossard's thumping finish sent Brighton up to 16th and three points clear of the relegation zone as they won at south coast rivals Southampton on Sunday.

Lewis Dunk's header gave the Seagulls the lead early on before Che Adams equalised with a near post volley for his third goal in three league games.

Brighton have been undone by an inability to finish off their chances this season but Trossard's winner ensured they picked up just their sixth league win of the season, with the Saints four points ahead in 14th.

SOUTHAMPTON RATINGS

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Bednarek struggled all afternoon | Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Fraser Forster (GK) - 5/10 - The giant couldn't get down to Dunk's header and had no chance with Trossard's hit. Did a bit better in the second half, making four saves in total.

Kyle Walker-Peters (RB) - 5/10 - Provided a decent outlet for Southampton down the right. Had a penalty appeal at the death turned down.

Jan Bednarek (CB) - 4/10 - Positioning and decision making throughout the game was questionable. Looked pretty bereft of confidence.

Jannik Vestergaard CB) - 6/10 - A more dependable presence in Southampton's defence, but had Bednarek looking clueless alongside him. Made three tackles.

Ryan Bertrand (LB) - 5/10 - Looked off the pace and wasn't as threatening in advanced positions as he was in the first half of the season. Decent enough defensively on the left.

2. Midfielders

Stuart Armstrong (CM) - 5/10 - As amazingly committed as usual, running around the pitch and pressing at a frenetic rate. Couldn't help too much otherwise.

James Ward-Prowse (CM) - 5/10 - Had a few set piece opportunities but they were dealt with by Brighton's defence. A little wasteful in possession.

Ibrahima Diallo (CM) - 5/10 - Pretty similar to his midfield colleagues. Couldn't offer much creativity as Southampton struggled in Brighton's third.

3. Forwards

Che Adams (RW) - 7/10 - Lashed in the equaliser with a volley at the near post to continue his scoring streak. Pretty good in the air but was missing strike partner Danny Ings.

Nathan Tella (ST) - 4/10 - Not much influence on his third league start of the season. Taken off in the 68th minute.

Takumi Minamino (LW) - 5/10 - His influence has started to wane after a hot start to his Saints career. Had a handful of shots before being taken off after the hour mark.

4. Substitutes

Nathan Redmond - 5/10

Moussa Djenepo - 5/10

Daniel N'Lundulu - 5/10

BRIGHTON RATINGS

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

Robert Sanchez (GK) - 6/10 - Some confident claims from crosses and a couple of decent saves.

Joel Veltman (RB) - 6/10 - Another decent outing for the former Ajax defender, who's impressed in recent weeks. Made a number of tackles and was strong in the air.

Ben White (CB) - 5/10 - A quiet but dependable outing from the former Leeds loanee. Passing was a bit off.

Lewis Dunk (CB) - 7/10 - A thumping header from the England international gave the visitors the lead, though Dunk couldn't get enough contact on a defensive clearance to stop Adams lashing in. Otherwise composed.

Dan Burn (LB) - 6/10 - Won a few aerial duels and was a nuisance in the opposition box before being taken off as Brighton switched systems.

6. Midfielders

Pascal Gross (RM) - 6/10 - Whipped in the corner for Dunk's opener. Was well placed to score himself but shot straight at Forster.

Adam Lallana (CM) - 7/10 - A good return to his old stomping ground for Lallana. Was a prickly presence in central midfield, making five tackles in a combative display.

Yves Bissouma (CM) - 6/10 - Another solid showing from the Mali international, if on a lesser scale than usual.

Leandro Trossard (LM) - 8/10 - Moved into a more central role during the second half and lashed in Brighton's second. Showed his creative spark even if what he tried didn't always come off.

7. Forwards

Maupay started up front for Brighton | Pool/Getty Images

Danny Welbeck (ST) - 7/10 - Brighton fans weren't happy seeing Welbeck in the starting XI but he teed up Trossard with a great backheel for the winner. First touch still disastrous.

Neal Maupay (ST) - 5/10 - Was his usual annoying self in the Southampton box, though could have looked up to find his teammates rather than go it alone on a few occasions.

8. Substitutes

Andi Zeqiri - 6/10

Davy Propper - 5/10

Jakub Moder - N/A

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Source: 90min