Southampton v West Brom

1. Southampton XI: Forster, Soares, Fonte, Van Dijk, Targett, Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, Davis, Mane, Bertrand, Long
2. West Brom XI: Myhill; Olsson, Yacob, Evans, Gardner, Anichebe, McClean, McAuley, Fletcher, Dawson, Sessegnon

CLOSE!

Boaz Myhill is a lucky man - he takes a swipe at thin air from a corner, and with Shane Long stealing in ahead of him, West Brom are very fortunate to still only be one behind. 

The ball's scrambled clear but had Long made any connection surely that had to be 2-0.

A bit more action here in the Southampton box - and maybe even a penalty shout...

James Ward-Prowse goes to clear the ball but Craig Gardner nips in and the Southampton man ends up kicking him instead. 

I'm actually surprised Gardner didn't make more of it.  

Tony 'Bomber' Brown

Former West Brom striker on BBC WM 95.6

Getty Images

"So far Southampton have been a totally different proposition to the Chelsea side who West Brom played on Wednesday night. 

"They allowed Albion quite a lot of the ball, but Southampton have been closing them down and making life difficult for Tony Pulis' side."

The first we've really seen of West Brom up front. 

Stephane Sessegnon is electric down the right wing, for a moment no-one can touch him. 

He buys enough time to tee up Craig Gardner on the edge of the box but his shot is wild and high, way over the bar. 

I've been impressed by Matt Targett this season. Yet another quality player emerging on the Southampton left. 

Here he is trying to make gains forward but Sadio Mane's dinked pass is overhit.

Tony Pulis takes advantage of a bit of a delay before the goal kick to brief his players. He has to be wanting more from them.

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James Ward-Prowse wins a gritty header in the middle to knock the ball upfield and Gareth McAuley comes absolutely steaming in on Shane Long - playing against his former club today of course. Free-kick.

It was full-blooded, but more about poor timing than ill intent.

I think that's a bit harsh on Boaz Myhill. It really was a well-hit free-kick.

Since the goal West Brom have come into it a bit more - but that's really not saying much. Southampton are all over this one.

Veteran top flight banter

Chris Sutton

Former Chelsea & Norwich striker on Final Score

"Shay Given sitting next to me says Boaz Myhill should have dived for that. I wouldn't trust Shay much - I smashed one past him once!"  

Tony 'Bomber' Brown

Former West Brom striker on BBC WM 95.6

“That’s what happens when you give silly free kicks away. It was a soft free-kick and Boaz Myhill was slow to get across and react. Excellent hit though from James Ward-Prowse.”

A look at the goal

Ryan Bertrand gave the keeper a bit of a shimmy before James Ward-Prowse stepped up with the real deal. A lovely curled free-kick.

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So Saints take the lead - with the first attempt on goal. 

They've already looked pretty comfortable on the ball, and now West Brom have got to chase it even harder.

Right now this looks like turning into a bit of a breeze for Ronald Koeman's men.

GOAL - Southampton 1-0 West Brom

Well I said it could be dangerous! That is a lovely, curled effort from James Ward-Prowse. 

Right into the top corner, Boaz Myhill couldn't get across. That's Ward-Prowse's first strike of the season.

Craig Dawson clips the heels of Sadio Mane on the edge of the box - free-kick Southampton and it could be dangerous...

The away side give the ball away almost straight away and Southampton string about 50 passes together, easing their way into the game. 

Most of those are safe across the midfield, with West Brom's lone striker Victor Anichebe in game pursuit. 

KICK-OFF

Here we go! West Brom get us under way.

Right then. The players are out, the handshakes are done, kick-off is but a moment away. 

Southampton's new signing Charlie Austin is up in the stands. Already it looks like he's regretting the decision not to wrap up warmer. 

Heading towards a win?

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View from the gantry

Steve Wilson

BBC Match of the Day commentator at St Mary's Stadium

"Maybe the boost of a midweek's work well done will see both teams playing with freedom and a thirst for goals?

"We can only hope - but normally you can count the goals scored between these two on the fingers of one finger.

"Ten of the last 16 meetings have finished either 1-0 or 0-0 and there have been only three goals scored in the last five editions.

"I'm not taking my abacus."

Lawro's prediction

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BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson pits his wits against a different guest each week - and he's predicting a 2-1 home win in this one.

Lawro's opponent for the latest round of Premier League fixtures are Creed stars Michael B Jordan & Tony Bellew.