Carlos Corberan disagrees with Russell Martin complaint after West Brom 0-0 Southampton

The two teams locked horns in a tense and unyielding contest at The Hawthorns, knowing scoring or conceding a goal would have colossal repercussions. As it was, neither side could find the net but it wasn’t for the lack of trying as several clear-cut chances were snuffed out by the respective goalkeepers.

A goalless stalemate was the perfect result for the neutrals but not particularly favoured by either club involved. An advantage going into the second leg is so important and Southampton, who came to West Brom determined to win, claim an uncontrollable factor stopped them in their tracks.

“It was hot, the pitch got stickier and stickier as it went on because of the heat and it got drier and drier. There were tired bodies from both teams towards the end,” Saints manager Martin complained in the post-match press conference.

“Both sets of players, when they came over for the drinks break, you couldn’t underestimate it. I was sweating just watching on the sidelines, just think what it was like out there,” Martin emphasised.

But Albion boss Corberan, who appeared perplexed when he heard what Martin had said, believes there should be no quibbles about the weather.

“I’m from Spain so I was enjoying it a lot! In football, you need to be able to compete when it’s winter and snowing, when it’s summer and it’s hot. Both teams are effected by the same circumstances.

“The weather can impact the type of game we play, yes. The hot games increase the tempo of the games, yes. But it’s for both teams,” Corberan said.

Despite Martin’s struggles with the conditions, Southampton will probably be the happier of the two teams ahead of Friday’s second leg. The Saints, in front of a packed St Mary’s Stadium, will have the home advantage for the decider.

But West Brom will have learned a lot from the first meeting and have full belief they can conquer the atmosphere to keep their Premier League dream alive. It should be a cracker and a lot cooler, too.