Graham Potter also insisted that it is important that his Brighton players “focus on [themselves]” as they continue to fight for survival in the Premier League.
It was Brighton who hit struck as they took the lead in the 16th minute. Pascal Gross sent in a teasing corner that found Lewis Dunk in the area. The defender powerfully headed it in past Fraser Forster to give his side the advantage.
Their lead did not last long, however, as Southampton equalised eleven minutes later. Ryan Bertrand headed it in the area and the Seagulls were unable to clear. The ball fell to Che Adams in the area and he fiercely volleyed it home to make it 1-1.
OPINION: Potter will welcome glitch in Brighton narrative
The game was on a knife-edge until Potter’s side got a vital second goal. This one came about via a great team move which was finished off by Leandro Trossard. The midfielder emphatically found the net past Forster from inside the area.
Brighton held on for what is a huge victory which eases their relegation worries. They are now up to 16th and they are three points ahead of 17th-placed Fulham. The Seagulls also have a game in hand over their rivals.
Potter told BBC Sport post-match that his side were “comfortable” in the second half after going ahead:
“I thought it was a deserved victory. Full credit to the players, they had to adapt. We lost Dan (Burn) at half time with a tight hamstring. So we had to adapt and I thought we did it really well.
“Second half we got a really good goal and when we had to defend we defended against a really good side that plays with huge intensity. Overall, I’m so proud of the players.
“Today we rode whatever luck we needed, there wasn’t a VAR against us and we managed to see the game out.
“I felt quite comfortable second half, even though when the scoreline is that close you are never comfortable, so there were still a few butterflies.
“We have to not worry about anyone else. We have to focus on ourselves and getting the points. We haven’t got enough points as it is so we have to keep working. The only way to do that is to focus on the next match, which is Newcastle.
“It’s a fantastic result from a performance that deserved three points. We have said that a lot (about our performance in matches) when we haven’t got the points.
“It’s a fantastic reward for the players and will help them keep going. We will keep fighting and on to the next match.”
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