West Brom player ratings vs Southampton: Four score 8/10s but one 4 in play-off first leg

Goalless matches are often described as stalemates but this encounter was far from boring. The momentum was constantly shifting and both sides had several clear-cut chances to find a breakthrough but were denied by impressive saves from Alex Palmer and Alex McCarthy between their respective sticks.

Carlos Corberan and Russell Martin are bound to have learned a bucketload about their opposite numbers, with the tie now set up perfectly for next week’s dogfight on the south coast. With so little between the teams, the two sets of players will have to go to war at St Mary’s for a spot in the final at Wembley.

The Baggies couldn’t have started the first leg better as the players matched the deafening atmosphere. Three corners within the opening five minutes worried the visitors - as did the direct wing play of Tom Fellows and Mikey Johnston on either side - but the Saints weathered the early Albion storm.

Martin’s men, sparked into focus by the West Brom wake-up call, reminded the hosts of their threat and quality at the quarter-hour mark. Wing-back Kyle Walker-Peters went close as he found space on the right flank and drilled a cross to nearly find the far corner. A deflection off Conor Townsend prompted a heart-in-mouth moment but the ball fizzed wide.

There was then a huge double chance for Southampton, gifted on a plate by Albion’s lack of awareness. Flynn Downes dispossessed Tom Fellows, played a one-two with Joe Aribo and forced an important save from Palmer. The follow-up was then brought down excellently by Adam Armstrong but the striker fluffed his lines, thrashing the side netting from close range.

Grady Diangana, frustrated by Albion’s lost rhythm, took matters into his own hands by skilling past three or four defenders to win a free-kick. The set-piece was taken quickly as the attacking midfielder sprinted into the area to reach Tom Fellows’ cross but McCarthy did brilliantly. Diangana’s header was on target and close to the corner but McCarthy’s low dive was enough.

The second period started cagily as neither side threatened for 15 minutes or so but West Brom were the next to go near, Darnell Furlong agonisingly near to opening the scoring. Johnston did excellently to beat Walker-Peters at the left byline before swinging in a peach of a delivery. All Furlong had to do was tap in at the far post but the full-back poked his effort off the outside of the woodwork.

Chances were beginning to dry up but then were huge opportunities for both teams, rather out of nowhere. Fellows burst past two and cut the ball back for Diangana but the Congolese saw his shot saved. Ross Stewart then broke away at the other end, cutting in and deflecting a shot off Bartley to prompt a remarkable diving stop; Palmer somehow kept it out with his trailing leg mid-air.

There was a late penalty shout for Albion as Diangana was pulled down by a slipping Ryan Fraser but referee Samuel Barrott took the easy option, instead pointing for a corner. What came from the set piece then rather summed up the quality of finishing on the afternoon as Baggies substitute Adam Reach blazed over the bar.

Here’s how Birmingham World reporter Charlie Haffenden rated the West Brom players out of 10 at The Hawthorns.