Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton applauded his players for the resilience they showed after going two goals behind against Southampton this evening, in a game which saw the Seagulls rescue a point.
Shane Duffy halved the deficit before Glenn Murray’s 90th-minute penalty levelled the game at St Mary’s, and Hughton was pleased to see his team produce an improved second-half display.
He said, “At this moment, the overriding feeling is one of a team that was desperate to get back in the game and showed great character.
“The disappointment wasn’t so much going in at 1-0 down, because it was a great strike from the lad, but the level of the performance wasn't good enough in the first-half period.
“If our performance in the second half was the same as it was in the first half, then we would have struggled to get back in the game.
“But we certainly upped the intensity of the game and broke better, which was what we needed to do. I was confident that we’d create chances.”
The Seagulls produced a below-par display in the first half against the Saints, which saw them trail 1-0 at the break, and Hughton gave credit to his team for understanding where they were going wrong.
“I can say what I need to say and shout as much as I want, but you’ve got to have a group of players that realise it themselves.
“There wasn't a player that came in at half-time that didn’t realise that the team underperformed. You can’t do it in this division and get away with it.
“Credit to them, they upped their game, and by upping their game, we put ourselves in good positions to create chances.”
Murray fired his 98th Albion goal from the penalty spot in the closing stages, and Hughton commended the forward for keeping his cool under pressure, as the Seagulls completed their comeback.
“We changed the penalty taker last season when Glenn missed a couple, and that’s the competition you want.
“You’d like to think it’s not only two players that want to step up and take penalties. Being away from home and 2-1 down, you’re not going to get a cooler head than Glenn Murray.
“We’re delighted he got us back in the game. It was the type of game where if Glenn gets the one good chance in front of goal, you’re confident he’ll put it away.”