West Brom head coach Tony Pulis: “We have had three great results recently in the Premier League”.
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After thumping home the game’s opener early on, Ward-Prowse bagged his second after 35 minutes following a clumsy challenge by Craig Dawson on Matt Targett.
The Baggies drew 2-2 at Chelsea in midweek and rather than return to the West Midlands, the decision was made to reduce the amount of travelling undertaken by the team. West Brom could not have anticipated that the damage would be so severe when Craig Dawson fouled Sadio Mané on the left, given that the wide position of the free-kick made shooting a low-percentage option. Southampton’s corner causes all kinds of problems in the visitor’s penalty area as Myhill completely misses a punch but the ball is eventually cleared. He also scored in West Brom’s draw in the cup against Bristol City. Ward-Prowse steps up and coolly slides the ball past Myhill to grab his second of the afternoon. Tremendous defending but WBA are a mess at the moment. Whether the Italian plays or not, his side have an in-form man in their ranks in the shape of Shane Long, who will hope to continue doing the business here against his former club. A game that many would have predicted to be tricky was actually negotiated very well by the Saints.
Pulis felt his side look exhausted during the 3-0 defeat. Subs: Tadic 8, Romeu 6, Martina 6. The Baggies feel that Berahino is really getting back to full fitness now is offering competition up front, along with Lambert and Salomon Rondon.
He opened the scoring with a stunning free-kick before calmly slotting home from the penalty spot. Ward-Prowse then stepped up to stroke a cool penalty to double the advantage. “The message is that we bring one player in, and still no-one will go out”. A deserved lead for a commanding half, albeit one that presented Saints with few sights of goal.
There have been just three goals scored in the last five Barclays Premier League meetings between West Brom and Saints.
“We are always trying to make the squad stronger and signing that sort of player is very important”, said Koeman, above, explaining the Austin transfer.
West Brom’s defensive game plan.
Southampton have looked liek a team that was close to turning the corner in recent weeks.
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“But take nothing away from Southampton”.
