West Bromwich Albion 1 - Southampton 0

oshawabaggie:

I read some time ago that Tony Pulis will be taking part in a rowing marathon for charity in May. Well the way things are going TP won't need a boat, he can just walk on the water. I was skeptical that changing coaches half way through the season would do us any good, but after one defeat in 10 games, surely there is no doubt that TP was the right, and perhaps the only, choice.

This was a classic Pulis victory - strike early and challenge the opposition to break down the defensive wall. These performances are not pretty (although the goal was brilliantly taken) but the team discipline and determination is very impressive. 'Entertainment' is not high on TP's priority list, if indeed it is there at all, but if he keeps us in the Prem, I think that is a trade off most of us will take. He has certainly found a way to get most of the players performing at their peak. In fact Brunt (wayward crosses aside), Dawson and Ideye (not so much today) are playing better than I thought possible.

This was another strong team effort and I can't really pick out any one outstanding individual. Normally it would be unrealistic to think of us beating Villa twice in a week at their place, but, especially if Ideye and Berahino are fit, it is a distinct possibility.

Boing boing!

Brendan Clegg:

The Pulis game plan worked pretty much to perfection. A few raised eyebrows before kick-off that we had no Sess or Macca when starting a home game. I would normally agree with those concerns but Southampton are a very good side and create lots via their fullbacks - Mozza and Gardner were there to stop that and they both did so brilliantly.

We started really well and were the best team for the first 30 minutes or so, pressing high again and playing at tempo.

Saido's goal was just class, and on his wrong foot too. The kid has just got it. Gardner should have added a second but side-footed tamely at the keeper from 8 yards after taking a long ball down.

After Saints changed their formation they eventually took control but we were disciplined, rode our luck a bit, defended well and probably created the better opportunities - Fletcher should have scored probably and Ideye should have done better when through on goal before checking back on his right foot and losing the ball.

We did concede a lot of ground and play like the away team for long spells and Pulis was happy to make the most defensive substitutions available - perfectly understandable because Southampton are a very good team and a point before the game would have been a good result. Despite a few very close shaves Foster didn't have a real save to make.

We did employ the Pulis tactics we saw so often at Stoke from very early on in the game - taking every opportunity to kill time or kill the game. You can understand Southampton's frustration. I get it. It is successful if not all that palatable.

In the end a massive result and you have to credit Tony Putin. Defensively we have generally been magnificent since he arrived - there were times today when it was almost an art-form in itself. The players were so well drilled again. Not far away from safety now and a huge couple of games to look forward to against the Villa this week. I predict Tuesday might well be another ugly affair but, hopefully, Saturday the shackles will be off a bit and it could be a great game.

• Fozzy - 7 Some kicking was awful and ironically the time he got booked was probably the only instance where he wasn't running the clock down.
• Dawson - 8 Continues to do brilliantly. One bad cross but generally excellent and far more a threat from set plays from his wider starting point.
• McAuley - 8 Nothing more to say. A rock.
• Lescott - 8 Another excellent display. Back on top form.
• Brunt - 8 I'm going to ignore a couple of woeful crosses and the odd misplaced pass. Doing a great job for us.
• Mozza - 8 Another selfless performance full of energy and covering runs.
• Yacob - 8 Won everything in and around him. Giving the level of performance that makes you wonder how he ever wasn't in the team. Just lacks pace.
• Fletcher - 7 Improving with each game and certainly there were times today in tight situations were his quality was superb. Still a wee bit leggy and gave the ball away cheaply once or twice but his best game for us I'd say.
• Gardner - 8 What a great job he did again, really pinning Clyne back deep and a couple of robust but fair tackles.
• Berahino - 7 Stunning goal and his general play was good again. Get him on a long contract FFS.
• Ideye - 6 Worked like a Trojan again but struggled when the lone man.

• Mulumbu - 7 Thought he kept the ball really well and was brave in possession. Good to see him back.
• Sess - 6 Gave us threat but the dive was really poor.

Mark Koppel:

A fantastic 3 points against a Team 5th in the Premier League.

Those who did criticise Tony Pulis and Saido Berahino, hopefully you now realise you know nothing about football.

Just hope we haven't paid too high a price by losing both our strikers for the week we play The Vile.

• Foster - 8 Four and a half games without conceding. That must be our record in the Premier League.
• Dawson - 8 What an improvement on Norman. Dawson also is a Centre Back by trade but has taken to this role in defence and at wing back superbly.
• McAuley - 7 Just got the wring side of Pelle once but otherwise solid.
• Lescott - 8 Not only good in defence but his distribution forward was considered yesterday.
• Brunt - 5 I think he is our best option at left back but marked down once again for some very poor crosses.
• Mozza - 8 All over the pitch, and he was suppose to be not fit.
• Yacob - 8 Better than last week against Sunderland, and kept his discipline, which can be a worry, even though he wasn't pleased about his head nudge !
• Fletcher - 7 Tidy again in all he does. Could have done better with his second half chance.
• Gardner - 7 As per Fletcher, except his chance was in the first half
• Berahino - 8 And some people said sell him, shame on you ! And some people said he is not committed, again shame on you ! Played the whole match with a pain killing injection and his strike won us the game.
• Ideye - 6 Who would have thought that he will be missed if injured for The Vile ? Not quite as good when the lone striker but did work hard.

• Mulumbu - 5 Not there yet, which is to be expected. Clumsy challenge on the edge of the box which was nearly critical.
• Sess - 3 If he wants to dive and cheat, go and play for Chelsea.