Albion’s lead over the Premier League relegation zone is down to two points tonight.

The 16th-placed Seagulls have been joined on 27 points by Southampton, who beat Fulham 2-0 at the St Mary’s Stadium.

Cardiff drop into 18th place on 25 points while Fulham and Huddersfield, who come to Amex on Saturday, remain well adrift.

First-half goals from Oriel Romeu and James Ward-Prowse put Saints in charge in a match they will have seen as must-win.

Sergio Rico, the Fulham goalkeeper who was so impressive against Albion recently, was culpable as the hosts took the lead midway through the first half.

The Argus:

He failed to get distance on his punch at a corner and Romeu fired the ball home through a crowd of players from the edge of the box.

The second goal, on 40 minutes, rudely interrupted Fulham’s most promising period of the first half.

Rico pushed away an angled shot from Nathan Redmond but Ward-Prowse, who had earlier shot inches wide from outside the box, was first to the rebound to tuck away the chance.

Fulham came from 2-0 down at the break to beat the Seagulls and that comeback was based on a goal straight after half-time.

Aleksandar Mitrovic had a chance to do the same to Saints but shot off target after getting in behind the defence to the left of goal.

Fulham fans showed their anger with boss Claudio Ranieri after he took off playmaker Tom Cairney as part of a double change.

But their side almost got back into the contest on 74 minutes when Ryan Babel’s shot hit the bar.

Southampton’s goal difference is currently four worse than Albion’s.

Saints go to Manchester United on Saturday while Cardiff are at Wolves (both 3pm).

Both Southampton and Cardiff have to visit the Amex in the run-in.

Crystal Palace are now five points above the drop zone after going down 3-1 at home to injury-hit Manchester United, for whom Romelu Lukaku scored twice.

Ashley Young’s goal made sure of the points after Joel Ward had pulled one back for Palace.