Alex Bruce
Hull City defender on Final Score

Robson-Kanu has had to wait patiently since the summer for his chance, but Tony Pulis has seen in training that he deserves a chance to start. And my, has Pulis been proved right. What a goal!

I think the keeper got his fingers to it, but that was hit with such venom that his fingers are probably still in the back of the net!

Ouch...

And, perhaps unsurprisingly, Tony Pulis elects to take off Allan Nyom - who was nearly sent off before the break. James McClean is on.

A shocking stat has just come to my attention. Ben Foster played 15 passes in the first half - the most in the West Brom team. I don't think I've ever seen a keeper do that before.

West Brom showing us that unless possession is turned into goals, it can mean very little.

Southampton had 72% of the ball but one shot on target is a poor return and Matt Phillips made them pay.

Image source, .

Former WBA striker Tony Brown on BBC WM: "He hasn’t been in the game but Matt Phillips has taken that so well. It’s a moment of magic from Phillips and he's placed it ever so brilliantly in the corner."

What is it they say about waiting for a bus? You wait and wait and then two come at once.

It fits this game nicely. A half so ugly it looks worse than those pyjamas you got for Christmas. Yet, thanks to goals in the 41st and 43rd minute, we seemingly have a game on our hands.

Shane Long's header was direct, Matt Phillips levelled to cap a slick move. We have a game on.

In comes the free-kick after Allan Nyom's poor challenge. It's a good delivery, dropping in the six-yard box and the legs are flying to try and prod it home. A proper scrap, Claudio Yacob swings at it and diverts it towards his own goal where Ben Foster jumps to collect. Panic over West Brom fans.

Postpublished at 45 mins

45 mins

Southampton 1-1 West Brom

This half is ending in action everywhere you look... we may have a red card here as Allan Nyom has just ploughed through the back of Shane Long. Nyom was booked nine minutes ago and is just too eager. 

Mike Jones summons him over, he's talking, he's talking.... he lets him off. A big call. It was an industrial challenge to say the least.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been influential for Saints, he's had more ball than anyone on the pitch. The midfielder tries to drive forward a counter attack and pushes the ball past Claudio Yacob, who stretches to produce an inch-perfect tackle. Home fans want a free-kick, it isn't coming.

I'm impressed with Hojbjerg, heavily involved and full of blood and thunder in a game which is pretty painful on the eyes so far.

Allan Nyom crashes into Cuco Martina and that is a clear booking, not even Mike Jones can miss that one. The official races over brandishing the yellow like a kid running to his mother with his delivery from Santa.

Dear me, referee Mike Jones has left his new glasses at home it seems. A terrible decision as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's shot clearly deflects wide off the knee of Chris Brunt. The guys on the Nasa space shuttle could see the deflection but it's a goal-kick given. Come on Mike, you're better than that.

Go on Jonny, boot it, passing is overrated. 

Hoof. The story of West Brom's day so far in picture form.

Image source, Getty Images

Virgil van Dijk is a naughty boy. Hal Robson-Kanu shows him a clean set of heels and he just tangles to bring the Wales striker down. A clear yellow.

Image source, PA

Former WBA striker Tony Brown on BBC WM: "West Brom are just giving the ball away time after time. Matt Phillips has the ball on the right-hand side of the box and gives away possession. They need to put a few passes together because they can’t get anything going in the Southampton half."

As we tick over the 30-minute mark, we can see how ragged West Brom's passing has been. They have attempted just 58 passes - that's less than two a minute - and have completed just 52%.

Southampton have played 198, completing 84%.

Image source, Reuters

Sam McQueen briefly saw the headlines. As the ball dropped to him 20 yards out on his left peg he was thinking 'this is it'.

Sadly for the 21-year-old, his low drive skims wide and that first goal in the Premier League will have to wait.

Image source, .

The touch map sums up the opening 25 minutes quite nicely. Southampton (left) have had just three touches in the West Brom box while the Baggies have had just one in the hosts' area (right).

You can see a lot of Saints touches in the West Brom half but they are not leading to a heap of chances.