EPL: Brighton Thrash Southampton 4-0 to Boost European Hopes

Brighton & Hove Albion cruised to a 4-0 win over Southampton, with Joao Pedro, Georginio Rutter, Kaoru Mitoma, and Jack Hinshelwood all finding the net in a dominant display.

Brighton & Hove Albion continued their impressive form with a resounding 4-0 victory over relegation-threatened Southampton, who became the fourth team in Premier League history to lose eight consecutive home games. The Seagulls, fresh from their 3-0 triumph over Chelsea, dominated the match from the outset, with Georginio Rutter's early run and close-range shot at Aaron Ramsdale setting the tone for the encounter.

Southampton's woes were compounded when Jan Bednarek was forced off the pitch, marking his 250th appearance in English football with an unfortunate early exit. Carlos Baleba's deflected free-kick then sailed over the bar, as Brighton continued to create scoring opportunities. Kaoru Mitoma narrowly missed the target with a first-time effort, while Yankuba Minteh lost his footing when through on goal, preventing the Seagulls from taking an early lead.

Brighton's persistence eventually paid off in the 23rd minute, as Joao Pedro capitalized on a loose ball by showcasing his composure and delicately chipping the ball over Ramsdale for his 50th goal in English football. The hosts rarely threatened before the break, with Wellington's cross-shot, which required a tip-over from Bart Verbruggen, being one of their few notable attempts. As a result, Southampton trailed by a single goal at halftime.

The second half began promisingly for Southampton, with Mateus Fernandes slipping in Cameron Archer, who slotted home when one-on-one. However, his celebrations were short-lived due to a tight offside call. As the hour mark approached, Brighton doubled their advantage through neat interplay between Rutter and Minteh, culminating in Rutter tucking home on the slide. Minteh then passed up a chance to seal the points when he skillfully turned Kyle Walker-Peters and Ramsdale, only to take too long to fire his shot into an empty net.

Fortunately for Brighton, Yankuba Minteh's missed opportunity did not prove costly, as Kaoru Mitoma replicated Georginio Rutter's earlier goal by darting through the middle of the pitch and lifting the ball over a helpless Aaron Ramsdale. This strike effectively sealed the win for the Seagulls, who continued to dominate the match.

Brighton hit Southampton for four and move into 8th place 🔵⚪️#SOUBHA pic.twitter.com/AxzpF0YbHz

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 22, 2025

As the clock ticked down, 19-year-old Jack Hinshelwood put the finishing touches on the victory, scoring after adjusting well to find the net following a corner delivery. This goal wrapped up the scoring and cemented Brighton's 4-0 win. In stoppage time, Carlos Baleba struck the post via Ramsdale, but this proved to be a mere consolation for Southampton.

The win marks back-to-back victories for Brighton, lifting them to eighth in the league, just three points off fifth-placed Bournemouth. This resurgence has made a return to European competition a genuine possibility for Fabian Hurzeler's side. In stark contrast, Southampton's woes continue, with a seventh consecutive head-to-head without a win leaving them staring relegation in the face. The Saints now find themselves 13 points from safety, having accumulated only nine points so far.