Superb West Bromwich performance over Southampton further boosts Premier League survival hopes (3-0)

Another superb West Brom performance has seen them further boost their Premier League survival hopes, beating Southampton 3-0 on Monday Night Football.

Sam Allardyce's Baggies had stunned Chelsea last Saturday, winning 5-2 at Stamford Bridge, and instantly picked up where they had left off in an impressive first-half display.

They did have the ball in the back of the net inside four minutes, but Mbaye Diagne's glancing header was ruled out for offside by the linesman. VAR checked it though and despite replays appearing to show the striker was onside, the goal remained disallowed, once again throwing VAR into the spotlight.

But if anything, it seemed to further galvanise West Brom, and they deservedly went ahead when Matheus Pereira (32) scored from the penalty spot, having been fouled in a moment of madness by Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

Although his goal may have been chalked off, Diagne did pick up an assist for his evening's work when his cross was turned home by Matt Phillips (35), before Callum Robinson (69) followed up his two goals against Chelsea with West Brom's third.

Although Southampton dominated possession after the break, they did not create many clear-cut chances, registering just four shots on target. James Ward-Prowse saw a late penalty stunningly saved by Sam Johnstone as the Saints suffered a hit to their confidence ahead of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Leicester at Wembley.

But West Brom have given their hopes of Premier League survival another massive boost, now eight points from safety with seven games to play.

How West Brom secured another vital victory

After a miserable weekend for VAR, the technology was once again under scrutiny inside four minutes. Diagne had glanced home from Pereira's fizzing attempt, but the offside flag was raised. VAR stepped in, but the goal remained chalked off, despite Diagne appearing to be onside during replays.

West Brom dominated the first half and continued to see chances fall their way - registering 13 shots in the first half - with Diagne going close just before the half-hour mark. After some superb passing play from the Baggies, Pereira slotted the ball through for him, but his eventual effort flew wide. Soon after, Stuart Armstrong had the best chance of the half for Southampton, forcing a leaping save from Sam Johnstone with a powerful long-range effort.

Player ratings

West Brom: Johnstone (7), Furlong (7), O’Shea (7), Bartley (7), Townsend (7), Phillips (7), Yokuslu (7), Maitland-Niles (8), Pereira (7), Robinson (7), Diagne (7).

Subs used: Gallagher (6), Robson-Kanu (6), Ajayi (n/a).

Southampton: Forster (6), Walker-Peters (7), Bednarek (6), Vestergaard (6), Bertrand (6), Armstrong (7), Ward-Prowse (7), Diallo (6), Walcott (6), Ings (6), Redmond (6).

Subs used: Adams (5), Djenepo (n/a), Tella (n/a).

Man of the match: Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

West Brom finally went ahead from the penalty spot in the 31st minute. A rash moment from Forster saw him swipe at the legs of Pereira for a stonewall penalty. The West Brom forward lined it up on the spot and fired down the middle, deservedly putting the hosts ahead.

The Baggies doubled their lead four minutes later with some more superb team play. Diagne drove down the left wing with an acre of space ahead of him, before slotting the ball to the back post for the incoming Phillips. It was then a simple slot home for the midfielder as West Brom rounded off a stunning first-half performance.

Team news

• West Brom made one change from their 5-2 win at Chelsea. Semi Ajayi made way for Callum Robinson while Dara O’Shea was fit to start after picking up an ankle injury.
• Southampton named the same XI that beat Burnley last Sunday and even the same players on the bench. Kyle Walker-Peters passed a fitness test on a leg problem to start at The Hawthorns.

There was a change of tack for West Brom in the second half, switching to a more defensive mentality. Southampton dominated the ball - registering 80.1 per cent possession after half-time - but despite some good play, they did not create too many chances. Their first real sight of goal after the break did not come until after the hour when once again, Armstrong stung the palms of Johnstone from range.

But West Brom's aim of scoring on the break came off perfectly when Robinson added their third in the 69th minute. The Baggies did well to win the ball back in midfield, with Okay Yokuslu sending a low pass through for Robinson. The forward was in between the two defenders, before sending a lovely finish into the far corner for his fifth Premier League goal of the season.

Southampton did not offer much by way of a reply, but did have the chance for a consolation in added time when Moussa Djenepo was fouled by Conor Townsend in the box. Saints captain Ward-Prowse stepped up, but his powerful penalty was saved by a leaping Johnstone to compound a dismal evening for Southampton.

Man of the match - Ainsley Maitland-Niles

It was a superb performance from the Arsenal loanee. He did not give Southampton a moment of rest and was one of the key driving forces behind West Brom's victory.

Sky Sports co-commentator Don Goodman said: "With and without the ball, he has covered every blade of grass. He's stretched that Southampton defence by making runs in behind and then he has got back, made tackles, kept the ball and ticked every box for me."

What the managers said

West Brom manager Sam Allardyce: "The first half was absolutely right up there with anything and everything we did at Chelsea, apart from we didn't finish quite as clinically, which meant that if we had, we probably would have been four or five up before they had a sniff in the second half.

"Obviously the big disappointment is the first goal we scored that looked like a goal, that wasn't a goal, that should have been a goal because I've seen all the lines and angles on that and as far as the situation goes, I think they got that wrong.

"Gladly for us, it hasn't affected the result we deserved but it easily could have done. We've overcome that decision and got the three points we thoroughly deserved.

"Southampton were bound to get back into the game at some point, but then the resilience and the defending qualities which have been with us for eight, nine, ten games were there again. Then you do what you've got to do to finish a team off and that's when you have a chance, you put it away and we did that.

"It's a clinical performance in the first half and then finishing them off with the third goal. A brilliant save from Sam for the penalty which gave us the clean sheet and I'm very satisfied with how the players played today.

"If you could have seen me in the studio, you would've seen me jumping up and down… We have it on our iPads and then we had another look at half-time, but gladly, it hasn't cost us anything today in terms of points.

"But that's immaterial now, it's come and gone. We can only hope that when it does come up next time, the goal is given. We had one here against Everton at 1-1 and it was a toenail, and that would have been another precious point.

"But the game today is what we're really focused on. The players have won back-to-back games this season, we've been a really good team for nine, ten, 11 games now. Unfortunately it has been our fault for missing chances and not getting more points on the board and not having a better chance of survival. But we keep going and if we keep on like this, we've got to try and beat Leicester next time round."

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl: "In the first half, everything [went wrong]. In the second half, the way we conceded the third goal… It was a killer for the game and then it was gone.

"We made a few [tactical] changes at half-time and they worked better but it is not always possible to turn a game when you're 2-0 down. In the first half, we have been too far away from our opponents and dropping so quick, and I'm not sure why we do this sometimes because it's not necessary.

"We had a big problem with second balls. We nearly lost every second ball and it's not possible against a team who come with long balls and going for the second balls. It was tough and in the second half, we changed this, we defended higher and more compact, then we immediately had more pressure on the opponent but in this time, you must make a goal and you have maybe a chance to come back like we did last week, but it's not always possible.

"In the end, everything, even then not scoring the penalty, fits with the game and it was definitely a very bad performance.

"One thing is clear - when we play like this, we do not have a minimum chance on Sunday. If they think they can rest today for Sunday, I think that's not the right way to do it. We will have a very critical analysis of this game because it's important, I think."

What the pundits said

Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher: "I just think a few teams may start getting a little nervous after thinking that both Sheffield United and West Brom were down. I think Sheffield United are. West Brom have got a lot to do, we know that, but if you are Newcastle, Burnley, maybe Brighton going into this game tonight, it is what they call squeaky-bum time."

Monday Night Football guest Kevin Campbell: "If they perform like this every week, they're going to be there or thereabouts [for Premier League survival], asking other teams questions to get results. I thought Maitland-Niles was excellent, Pereria was excellent, and they asked that many questions of Southampton that they couldn't answer. A really good win.

"It's what West Brom deserve - they deserve to win by three clear goals minimum. Really impressed with West Brom today."

Saints' dismal 2021 - Opta stats

• Southampton have picked up just 10 points in 15 Premier League games in 2021 (W3 D1 L11), fewer than any other side in this period.
• No manager has beaten Southampton with more different teams in the Premier League than West Brom's Sam Allardcye (3 clubs - level with Claudio Ranieri, George Graham, Graeme Souness, Harry Redknapp, Joe Royle, Jose Mourinho).
• West Brom have scored 3+ goals in consecutive Premier League games for the first time since February 2012 (5-1 v Wolves & 4-0 v Sunderland).
• Sam Johnstone became the first West Brom goalkeeper to save a penalty in the Premier League since Boaz Myhill vs Man Utd in May 2015.

What's next?

West Brom now have a 10-day break before travelling to Midlands rivals Leicester on Thursday 22 April; kick-off 8pm.

Southampton will play their biggest game of the season so far on Sunday when they also face Leicester in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley; kick-off 6.30pm. They will then travel to Tottenham in the Premier League on Wednesday 21 April, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 6pm.

Injury-hit Everton hold Brighton to Premier League stalemate at Amex Stadium (0-0)

Brighton's struggles at home continued with a 0-0 draw against injury-hit Everton, who lost further ground in the race for Europe on Monday Night Football.

In a game that lacked real quality, Neal Maupay, Jakub Moder and Adam Lallana all squandered chances as Graham Potter's side were held to a frustrating eighth Premier League draw of the season at the Amex Stadium.

Everton's hopes of halting a run of three league games without a win were hampered by injury to top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin before the game, although the Toffees could have snatched all three points when substitute Alex Iwobi flashed a shot over in the final minute.

The draw hands Brighton, who climb a place to 15th, and Everton, who stay eighth, a point apiece towards their respective survival and European bids, but both will have been left wanting a more decisive boost to those campaigns.

Player ratings

Brighton: Sanchez (6), Veltman (7), White (6), Dunk (6), Bissouma (7), Moder (7), Gross (6), Lallana (7), Trossard (7), Welbeck (6), Maupay (6).

Subs: Jahanbakhsh (n/a), Burn (n/a).

Everton: Olsen (6), Coleman (7), Holgate (7), Mina (6), Keane (6), Godfrey (7), Davies (7), Sigurdsson (6), Digne (7), James (6), Richarlison (6).

Subs: Iwobi (6), Broadhead (n/a).

Man of the Match: Yves Bissouma.

Brighton, Everton play out south-coast stalemate

Everton striker Calvert-Lewin was the surprise omission from the teamsheet as another name was added to the Toffees' lengthy injury list.

Missing their top-scorer, Everton failed to register a single attempt on target in the first half, but Brighton could only go one better despite dominating for large parts.

Team news

• Brighton were unchanged from the team which were beaten 2-1 at Manchester United.
• Dominic Calvert-Lewin was not in the Everton squad as Carlo Ancelotti made two changes from the draw with Crystal Palace, as Ben Godfrey and Gylfi Sigurdsson returned.

Seagulls midfielder Moder dragged a shot inside the opening 10 minutes before Everton came to life and fashioned their first chance, which midfielder Tom Davies headed wide of the Brighton goal.

Brighton went close twice before the break as Maupay's drive deflected inches wide off Yerry Mina, before Yves Bissouma's audacious, acrobatic overhead kick nestled on the roof of the net as a potential goal of the season contender escaped the Seagulls.

With Everton options from the bench few and far between, Brighton retained control of the game but, as has been the case time and again this season, quality in the final third eluded them.

Moder wrapped a shot over the bar from a training ground corner routine, before Lewis Dunk's glancing header drew a fingertip save from Everton goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

With the game petering out for a draw, Everton sprung a late rally to snatch all three points, but Iwobi's drive fizzed over the bar to leave both sides with a point.

Analysis: Will Everton rue this run of form?

Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football:

"The run of form Everton are on at the moment; you just get the feeling they will look back at this at the end of the season as a reason why they never really pushed for the Champions League and top four.

"Because there are so many teams involved and dropping points, no matter how bad your run is at the moment, you're always there or thereabouts in terms of points for Europe.

"Everton still have hope of Europe, because that was the target at the start of the season that Ancelotti keeps mentioning."

'Massive disappointment if Everton miss Europe'

Captain Seamus Coleman admits if Everton miss out on European football it will be their home form they will come to rue and not draws at places like Brighton.

"It would be a massive disappointment [if we didn't qualify for Europe]. We have been given opportunities this season by other results. We just had to look after ourselves and we would have been in a better position.

"That would be the disappointment. We have full belief and obviously the manager we have has massive experience and doesn't panic. We have something to play for but yes there's no question we need to finish in European places.

"The morale is good. We have a good bunch of lads and we train hard. It's up to myself and a few of the experienced lads to keep that morale high at all times. We have a great manager and some top players. It's just about those results at home we need to brush up on massively."

Everton unable to solve Brighton puzzle - Match stats

• Against no side have Brighton played more home Premier League games without ever losing than against Everton (P4 W2 D2).
• Only Manchester United (6) have drawn more Premier League matches 0-0 than Brighton (5) this season, while this was Everton's first goalless draw of the campaign, leaving Sheffield United as the only side still yet to play out a 0-0 draw.
• Brighton have kept a clean sheet in five of their eight home Premier League matches in 2021 - no side has kept more home shutouts in the competition since the turn of the year.
• Carlo Ancelotti became the seventh manager to take charge of 50 Premier League games for Everton, with none of those seven bosses losing their 50th league match in charge of the Toffees (W4 D3). Indeed, only Roberto Martinez (89 pts) has won more points from his first 50 Premier League games in charge of Everton than Carlo Ancelotti (78 pts).
• Carlo Ancelotti has picked up 78 points from his 50 Premier League games in charge of Everton, his lowest return after 50 league matches in charge of a side during his managerial career (previously 89 with AC Milan).
• Everton have won just 25% of their games without Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the Premier League this season (P4 W1 D1 L2), compared to a 50% win rate when he has been involved (P26 W13 D5 L8).

What the managers said…

Brighton manager Graham Potter: "I thought it was a good performance from us. I thought we had good intent. We tried to attack and played positively. We lacked a little bit of quality in the final third but defended well when we had to. It was a hard-earned point.

"I don't think there were loads of clear-cut chances. There were some opportunities. I don't think we worked the keeper enough. They were defensively set up to do well. It wasn't easy to find the space but we were the closest ones to scoring.

"You always want a bit more but there's another team on the pitch and an opponent fighting for the win. The effort and intent were there we just missed that little bit to get the goal."

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti: "The fight [Europe] is more difficult now but a point is a point. We had good spirit; we could have been better with the ball as we were unable to efficiently reach our strikers. But we are still in the fight, it's a difficult moment but we are still there. We have a lot of players out, but I hope they recover so we can fight [against Tottenham] on Friday.

"The last four games were not good. I hope Allan recovers soon and, in a few weeks, hopefully Abdoulaye Doucoure. We have to play against Tottenham, Arsenal, West Ham and two games against Aston Villa. All the games are really important if you want to reach Europe."

Man of the Match - Yves Bissouma

"The biggest talking point, the biggest bright spark, was Yves Bissouma," said Jamie Carragher. "He was man of the match but he was not just the best player on the pitch, he was the best player by a mile on the pitch. He really was. You looked at him and thought, he really does look like a top-quality player.

"He was excellent at Old Trafford too last time out when he looked head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch. There has been some talk of teams looking at him. I am not sure teams will be looking at him. I think teams will be bidding for him at the end of the season."

What's next?

Everton host Tottenham on Friday Night Football at 8pm - live on Sky Sports Premier League - before Brighton travel to Chelsea on Tuesday, April 20 - live on Sky Sports Premier League.

Source: Sky Sports / Charlotte Marsh - Jack Wilkinson

Photo credit: West Bromwich Albion FC