Match Report

IBO Reporter : sotonian

The first game following the end of the transfer window, whatever your thoughts on how we handled the window, these are the players we have to take us to the end of the season and probably we will not have a change of manager, so we need to back them, what does seem to have been overlooked is the fact we have started to play better over recent games.

We got to The Vine Pub at 12.30, a massive pub with a 50/50 split of Saints and West Brom fans, some great chats about past games and of course Cyril Regis.

Did the 20 minute walk to the ground along side unfenced train rails, there was a great tribute to Cyril before the game in which Saints fans were magnificent in their respect.

With a “let’s do it for Cyril” attitude West Brom started the better side and after just 4 minutes West Brom took the lead, a corner came across, there was a possible foul but Hegazi scored with an unmarked header, Stephens does seem to allow himself to get bullied out of these situations

• 1-0

The goal seemed to be the wake up call that Saints needed, Stephens set up Boufal about 25 yards out, and his shot was wide, Bertrand played the ball forward to Carrillo who linked well with Tadić before shooting just off target, then Carrillo had a header from Lemina's cross which also went just past the post, Saints had now missed 3 decent chances there were mumblings in the Saints end as West Brom got back in control of the game, but just as doom and gloom was setting in, it all changed on 40 mins Bertrand put a great cross to Carrillo who’s shot was saved well, pushed wide for a corner, from the resulting corner the ball came out to Lemina who produced an unstoppable shot from 30 yards out

• 1-1

Just 3 mins later Saints turned the game right around. In what looked a well rehearsed move, Ward-Prowse put a corner to the near post, Stephens made his move and scored his third goal in eight days,

• 1-2

On the stroke of half time, West Brom get a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area, Brunt takes a great free kick but Alex McCarthy got both hands on it for a fantastic save

Half time West Brom 1 Saints 2

Second half starts, Saints looked very comfortable Great chance for Saints as Boufal's ball finds Carrillo who flicked the ball over Foster but it was deflected for a corner.

With everyone expecting him to pass, Hoedt made a run towards the goal only to be fouled by Barry on the edge of the box, Boufal grabbed the ball to take it, Ward-Prowse grabbed the ball away from him, a bit of an argument took place, Hoedt as captain stepped in and Boufal walked away looking very unhappy. Ward Prowse obviously now under a bit of pressure made no mistake and scored straight into the corner of the goal

• 1-3

Good to see that Boufal was the first player to congratulate Ward-Prowse for the goal.

On the hour West Brom bought on Jay Rod for Sturridge, who had shown some quality but was really not match fit. Saints came close to a fourth but Dawson got just in front of Carrillo to concede a corner.

Just when Saints were looking very comfortable West Brom got a goal back, once again from a free header this time Rondon was the scorer

• 2-3

Good to see that Saints didn’t panic after the goal, just carried on playing with confidence, Shane long came on for the totally shattered Carrillo, within minutes Cedric put a great cross for Long who had a total free header just a few yards out but somehow put it over the bar when it looked far easier to score.

With the clock ticking down Long got pulled down for a definite Penalty, only to see the linesman flag very late for offside

• Full Time
• West Brom 2 Saints 3

At the final whistle all the Saints players came over to the fans most of them came into the crowd to give their shirts away, it showed they really do care,

A great confident performance from Saints, everyone played very well with Lemina standing out as the man of the match

If Saints can reproduce playing with this confidence, they will not be going down.