Brighton climb to second after 1-1 stalemate with Southampton

BRIGHTON, England - Kaoru Mitoma's first-half header for Brighton & Hove Albion was cancelled out by a Flynn Downes strike just before the hour as the Seagulls drew 1-1 at home with bottom side Southampton on Friday to move up to second in the Premier League table. 

Saints made Joe Lumley their third starting goalkeeper of the season but the 29-year-old's clean sheet on his Premier League debut lasted only 29 minutes as he was beaten by Mitoma's well-placed header from a bouncing Tariq Lamptey cross.  

Rejuvenated in the second half, Southampton equalised in the 59th minute after Adam Armstrong had two shots blocked in quick succession but midfielder Downes made no mistake with the rebound from the second effort, slamming it home. 

Eight minutes later Saints had a Cameron Archer goal controversially ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR check and despite late Brighton pressure the hosts also could not find a winner and moved to 23 points, eight behind Liverpool.