West Brom 0-2 Southampton: Russell Martin’s aspect go second

Shilen Patel’s huge night time didn’t convey the end result he needed – however West Bromwich Albion’s supporters will take the setback of 1 defeat if he brings a long-term change of fortune.

Goals from Ryan Fraser and David Brooks gave fellow promotion hopefuls Southampton a win that lifted them again into the Championship’s prime two, not less than for a couple of hours.

For the house followers, although, this was all about celebrating a brand new starting off the sphere, with a takeover set to be formally accomplished subsequent week.

Investor Patel flew in from Florida to sit within the administrators’ field at The Hawthorns, lower than 24 hours after agreeing a £60million deal to purchase the membership from unpopular proprietor Guochuan Lai.

Fans are hopeful that Patel will convey much-needed monetary muscle to Albion after practically eight years of uncertainty and underinvestment on Lai’s watch.

The deal is ready to be accomplished subsequent week, and the potential new chairman was greeted with cheers earlier than kick-off – solely to see West Brom get off to only in regards to the worst doable begin.

Carlos Corberan was despatched to the stand in weird circumstances with solely six minutes performed – after referee Sam Allison noticed that the pinnacle coach had strayed from his technical space and touched the ball together with his foot whereas it was nonetheless in play.

The hosts, struggling to maintain tempo with Southampton’s fast passing, then nearly gave away a objective as Alex Palmer’s unfastened move was intercepted by Sekou Mara to place Adam Armstrong by means of one-on-one – however the goalkeeper atoned for his error by spreading himself to dam the shot.

It was solely a quick respite as Southampton did rating simply earlier than the quarter-hour mark, as Fraser discovered house on the far put up to steer in an aesthetic volley from Stuart Armstrong’s first-time cross following a brief nook.

For some time, it seemed as if West Brom would possibly go below, however they grew into the sport, and have been unfortunate to not be degree by half-time as John Swift drilled a 25-yard shot simply broad.

Darnell Furlong then had a penalty enchantment rejected as his header struck the arm of Jack Stephens, who seconds later cleared from below his personal crossbar after Okay Yokuslu had flicked on a nook.

Albion struggled to construct on that momentum within the second half, although, they usually have been completed off within the 73rd minute, as Brooks collected fellow substitute Samuel Edozie’s sq. move and slotted in his first objective since arriving on mortgage from Bournemouth late final month.

Still Corberan’s gamers didn’t surrender, nevertheless it wasn’t their night time – as proved when Gavin Bazunu leapt brilliantly to push away Jan Bednarek’s diving header.