Southampton 2-1 West Bromwich Albion: Saints extend unbeaten run to eight games

Southampton's Adam Armstrong (left) has now scored nine goals this season

Southampton stretched their unbeaten Championship run to eight games as they survived a second-half comeback to beat West Bromwich Albion.

The hosts had the perfect start when Will Smallbone slotted home after Adam Armstrong's initial shot was blocked.

Kyle Bartley hit back for Albion after the break as he finished from close range to level the score with just over 20 minutes remaining.

But Armstrong scored the winner for Southampton as he took a touch before firing past Albion keeper Alex Palmer.

Victory for Southampton puts them in fourth place before the international break and a point behind third-placed Leeds United. but Albion missed the chance to return to the top six.

The Baggies themselves arrived on the south coast armed with a three-game winning run, but they were a goal down early on.

The hosts took just five minutes to get off the mark when Stuart Armstrong teed up Adam Armstrong, whose effort was blocked but Smallbone made no mistake from close range on the rebound.

Albion's equaliser came after a Jed Wallace cross was met by Brandon Thomas-Asante, whose effort hit the crossbar, before the ball fell kindly for defender Bartley to find the net.

Southampton's defence has not been their strong point in recent months and the Baggies' leveller meant they have now kept just one clean sheet in their past 29 home games.

But Armstrong's late winner, which came following some good work from Ryan Fraser, proved the difference as they kept up their charge to wrap up a top-six spot before next week's break.

Southampton manager Russell Martin told BBC Radio Solent:

"I didn't enjoy the second half that much but the character, togetherness and belief in the squad won us the game.

"We didn't have enough control but we were playing against a really good team. The supporters stuck with us after we conceded - they were amazing.

"I'm happy grinding it out like we had to. The spirit pulled us through. We're in a really good place - the identity of the team is clear. Now we have to strive to continue and keep that."

West Brom head coach Carlos Corberan told BBC Radio WM:

"We didn't deserve to lose the game. We will analyse why. We will keep working. We need to find out why we didn't defend the goals better.

"I liked the response of the team. That's why we were still in the game even if we didn't play the best in the first half. In the second half we were better than them.

"The fans made us feel like we were playing at home. It's a pity because we would like to have celebrated with them."