West Brom 1 Southampton 1: Pulsating clash ends all level

Albion had to settle for a point in a pulsating affair with Southampton that finished 1-1 at The Hawthorns.

James Morrison’s men put in a sensational first-half display where they built on Saturday’s win at West Ham and led through Isaac Price’s penalty.

A slender 1-0 lead was a disservice to the dominance and the in-form Saints responded well to level through Sammy Edozie eight minutes after the restart.

A very watchable remainder of the second half swung each way with chances at both end as the high-flyers each dropped a place in the Championship, to fifth and sixth with Albion noses still ahead.

Morrison’s men were tireless but will be concerned by losing skipper George Campbell to injury at half-time. They could not recapture the first-half dominance but Southampton were never going to be as poor.

A first half featuring masterclasses from Ousmane Diakite, Jayson Molumby and Rabby Nzingoula will live long in the memory against panto villains Southampton, as two good sides traded blows on a fascinating night.

Morrison’s men picked up exactly where they left on in the capital on Saturday afternoon.

It took less than five minutes for a lightning-quick Albion move to result in a huge chance. A neat move allowed Isaac Price to drift centrally and his exquisite through ball released Jimmy-Jay Morgan.

Morgan, the former Saints youngster, was in on goal but forced wide to the right. He still would’ve backed himself to hit the target but got too much power on the effort as it flew over.

Albion were relentless in the early stages as Nzingoula picked up where he left off at West Ham. He combined well down the right with Brayann Pereira, while Diakite was imperious in midfield once again.

Molumby also grabbed the clash by the scruff of the neck in midfield and had an effort from range tipped over after a rampaging run.

Vibrant Albion looked too sharp for their fancied visitors as Morgan fired a tougher chance over on a volley after another fine Nzingoula cross.

A deserved opener arrived on 20 minutes, with no surprise to see Molumby and Nzingoula involved.

The former’s fine lofted ball from halfway picked out Nzingoula’s adventurous dart forward and Frenchman chopped in from the right in the penalty are and when over skipper Jack Stephens’ outstretched leg.

Some replays looked soft but the hosts and Price cared not as the Northern Irishman coolly lifted into the top corner from the spot.

Southampton tried to respond but could not get near their hosts, who dominated with and without the ball. Away boss Tonda Eckert looked on concerned from the dugout as his side failed to get a grip.

A 1-0 advantage did Morrison’s men a disservice as half-time neared, and Price could’ve doubled his tally before the interval from another fine Molumby ball.

His lofted pass picked out the penalty scorer, whose first touch was excellent, before a lofted effort dropped wide of the right post.

The only blot on the first-half copybook was skipper Campbell feeling his groin moments before the interval. He played on until half-time but was replaced by Nat Phillips. The bigger shock was the lifeless hosts did not make a change.

The Baggies, so bright in the first period, were punished for a slow first 10 minutes after the restart.

Southampton were hardly going to emerge as poor and immediately got on the front foot.

The Saints worked dangerous positions down the side of Albion’s box as they knocked on the door.

And the pressure told as a deep cross from left-back Liam Manning was headed across goal by Kuryu Matsuki, who got above Callum Styles, across goal for Edozie to lash low into the net.

Albion replacement Phillips failed to track his man and clear as Saints pulled level.

Morrison’s men replied to the setback well. Moments later they almost grabbed the lead back as Styles’ angled effort from an uncleared corner was cleared near the goalline and Nzingoula’s shot was blocked.

But the Baggies could not reassert their control on the second period as referee Josh Smith became a pantomime villain and James Bree enraged the home crowd by feigning an injury to halt a home attack.

O’Leary was required on several occasions in a watchable and nervy final 20 minutes. He made a fine low reaction stop to ensure a deflection didn’t fly in at his near post, much like West Ham’s with Jarrod Bowen.

The Irish goalkeeper recovered from a couple of nervy passes out from goal, one where Diakite recovered and another lifted over by Finn Azaz.

Azaz, the ex-Baggies youngster, carved out a clear opening with 10 minutes left as former Albion flop Lewis Dobbin was played in on goal.

Dobbin had all the time but was met by O’Leary, who made a huge one-v-one save.

Surprise late substitute Tammer Bany had quite the impact, with a low cross for fellow sub Aune Heggebo flicked goalwards for a Peretz save. Bany then fired wide at the near post after a Diakite counter.

Nothing could separate two good sides in a lively affair as both had to settle for a point.

Albion (4-4-1-1): O’Leary; Pereira, Mepham, Campbell (c) (Phillips, 45), Styles; Nzingoula (Whitwell, 71), Molumby, Diakite, Price; Horn Myhre (Heggebo, 71); Morgan (Bany, 84).

Subs not used: Ingram (gk), Townsend, Stewart, Parmar, Stewart.

Southampton (4-2-3-1): Peretz; Bree, Schlotterbeck, Stephens (c), Manning; Downes, Ward-Prowse; Matsuki, Azaz, Edozie; Mubama (Dobbin, 71).

Subs not used: Long (gk), Abbott, Wood, Fellows, Bragg, Wellington, Ehibhatiomhan, Williams.

Referee: Josh Smith