Southampton vs West Brom match report: James Ward-Prowse goals lead Saints to consecutive victories

Southampton 3 West Brom 0

James Ward-Prowse celebrates scoring a free-kick for Southampton against West Brom (Getty Images)

Charlie Austin, sitting in the stand here yesterday after his £4 million move to Southampton, has already had an effect in spurring on new clubmates who have no intention of surrendering their place to him.

The main striker, Shane Long, was excellent, especially in linking with Sadio Mané, who was allowed by Ronald Koeman’s new 3-4-1-2 formation to support him in attack. Just behind them, Steven Davis narrowly edged Long as the game’s outstanding player and James Ward-Prowse, nobody’s idea of a prolific goalscorer, claimed his first two of the season, both from perfect set-pieces.

Meanwhile the lanky Graziano Pelle sat in the dug-out, possibly pondering his future just like Jay Rodriguez, who has started only a dozen games in two seasons and will be out for a few weeks yet.

A second victory and another clean sheet followed those against Watford on Wednesday. Any possibility of repeating the dull goalless draw at The Hawthorns in September disappeared gratifyingly early, when Craig Dawson fouled Mané 25 yards out and Ward-Prowse whipped the free-kick expertly past Boaz Myhill, who harsh critics felt could have got nearer to it.

James Ward-Prowse converts a penalty in Southampton's 3-0 win over West Brom (Getty Images)

There was no real threat to Southampton’s solid three-man back-line, and by half-time Ward-Prowse had his second goal, this one from the penalty spot, after Dawson clipped Matt Targett, whose drive from Long’s pass was then cleared off the line by a retreating James McClean.

Long’s lovely touch to Davis and the midfielder’s pass to substitute Dusan Tadic concluded what by the standards of this fixture was a feast, although there were barely crumbs for Albion.

Dusan Tadic watches his shot beat West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill (Getty Images)

Their manager, Tony Pulis, unhappy at having to play two away games in a week so soon after the busy holiday period, also revealed that James Morrison, injured at Chelsea on Wednesday, will be out for up to two months with a ruptured hamstring and that Darren Fletcher, taken off at half-time here, has a knee injury.

“We know how difficult it is to beat West Bromwich,” said Koeman. Not yesterday it wasn’t.

Southampton: (3-4-1-2) Forster; Van Dijk, Fonte, Bertrand; Soares (Martina, 83), Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, Targett; Davis (Romeu, 72); Long, Mané (Tadic, 63).

West Bromwich: (4-1-4-1) Myhill; Dawson, McAuley, Olsson (Brunt, 46), Evans; Yacob; Sessègnon (Berahino, 63), Fletcher (Rondon, 46), Gardner, McClean; Anichebe.

Referee: Martin Atkinson.

Man of the match: Davis (Southampton)

Match rating: 6/10