Mauricio Pellegrino defended Fraser Forster against accusations he should have done better for Brighton’s equaliser.

Forster could do nothing about the fact Glenn Murray was able to peel off at the far post to be marked by the diminutive Cedric Soares, but there were suggestions he could have done more to make a near post save.

However, Pellegrino believes the ball took a slight deflection off of Cedric and that things are not as simplistic as some might wish to make out.

“It was a little bit unlucky because the ball I think deflected off of Cedric’s head and surprised a little bit our goalkeeper,” said Pellegrino.

“It’s football. From outside every single action looks really simple, but from inside the football is the vision and every single action is completely different.”

Saints might not have got the win they wanted against Brighton but are at least unbeaten in their last three.

“It’s a good sign that I think I see the team competing well in terms of making the right decision in different moments,” reflected Pellegrino.

“This is something where I think the team is growing and is a little bit more mature.

“I repeat that we think about the top level, top teams, the difference in the space, defensively, is really difficult to create this situation to get more difference.”