Southampton 0 West Bromwich 0: Wright-Phillips out to keep scoring touch in the family

Bradley Wright-Phillips, the striker bought from Manchester City, is loving life at Southampton but could do with a few more visits from his famous goalscoring dad.

Ian Wright, the former England and Arsenal striker who is now enjoying life as a television presenter, chose not to look in at St Mary's, where Wright-Phillips suffered a tortuous afternoon in front of goal against West Bromwich Albion.

Wright-Phillips missed at least three clear-cut chances to win the match but he suggested afterwards that perhaps his "old man" and his half-brother Shaun, the Chelsea and England wide man, will be able to help him in the future.

He said: "My old man couldn't come today but I am hoping he is going to come to a lot of the games, so maybe he can just get up off his bottom and get down and watch his son. Hopefully, with dad and Shaun not living too far away, I will be able to pick up a few of their tricks.

"After the game on Wednesday against Coventry, Dad was right in my ear telling me things which he hoped would improve. Of course I listen to what he has to say. I have even got some of his DVDs at home."

Southampton supporters thoroughly enjoyed jeering their former player Nigel Quashie, who was cautioned for a foul on Djamel Belmadi, who was then booked himself.

John Hartson was unfortunate not to score in Albion's first attack with a fierce downward header which forced the home goalkeeper, Kelvin Davis, into a twisting save.

Southampton have a defender with an abun-dance of skill in Gareth Bale, 17, and he nearly made it three goals in as many games from free-kicks when his low, swerving effort hit the base of the post late on.

Albion's manager, Bryan Robson, has done well to keep the majority of the side relegated from the Premiership but he would now like to see them perform like the title favourites they are.

He said: "I would much sooner be the favourite than the underdog. Now my players need to express themselves on the pitch and play like favourites.

"I want them to be winning every game - the sort of pressure I like, rather than be near the bottom of the table, struggling."

Southampton (4-4-2): Davis; Ostlund, Baird, Pele, Bale; Belmadi, Viafara, Wright, Skacel (Surman, 57); Wright-Phillips, Rasiak (Jones, 63). Substitutes not used: Poke (gk), Cranie, Dyer.

West Bromwich Albion (4-4-2): Zuberbühler; Watson, Perry, Davies, Robinson; Greening (Inamoto, 71), Quashie, Wallwork (Chaplow, 71), Gera ; Ellington (Carter, 26), Hartson. Substitutes not used: Steele (gk), Albrechtsen.

Referee: S Tanner (Somerset). Booked: Southampton Belmadi. West Bromwich Albion Hartson, Quashie.

Man of the match: Pele.

Attendance: 24,233.