HAWTHORNS HELTER-SKELTER
EDOZIE REPLY KEEPS SAINTS LEVEL
West Brom 1, Southampton 1. West Brom: Isaac Price 22 pen; Southampton: Samuel Edozie 53. Price penalty rewards Albion's first-half dominance but Southampton hit back in an end-to-end top-six clash
Fourth met fifth at The Hawthorns and neither would give an inch. Isaac Price's first-half penalty put West Brom ahead, Samuel Edozie levelled after the break, and an end-to-end finish could have gone either way before it finished 1-1.
James Morrison's side were completely dominant before half-time, BBC Sport reported, but had only Price's 22nd-minute spot-kick to show for it.
Tonda Eckert's Southampton were much improved after the interval and struck back eight minutes into the second half, Edozie slamming home from close range. Eckert himself was booked for dissent soon after.
From there it was open. Aune Heggebø, on as a substitute, drifted across the near post and steered towards goal from about four yards out, but Daniel Peretz got down to save. Lewis Dobbin went clean through for Saints at the other end and was denied by Max O'Leary.
Tom Fellows, who came through the Albion academy, came on against his old club to a polite round of applause from the home support and had a late effort blocked on the edge of the area. Albion nearly nicked it on the break: Ousmane Diakité drove the length of the pitch and teed up substitute Tammer Bany, whose shot clipped the outside of the post.
The draw leaves both sides in the play-off places. Albion, who won 3-1 at West Ham on Saturday, move to fifth on 25 points, with Southampton sixth on 24 after their four-point deduction.
"I think it was a fair result. I think it was two very good teams going at it," West Brom boss James Morrison told Sky Sports. "We were so dominant in the first half, especially doing that to the opposition, I don't think anyone's done that to them and the lads can be proud of that performance." He added: "But credit to Southampton, they came back and showed their class."
Southampton boss Tonda Eckert, also speaking to Sky Sports, felt his side had been too cautious early on. "I think we gave them too much respect in the first half for the quality they have on the ball and then changed at half-time and boys showed what they're about," he said. "We'll take the point and move on."
Price, who sent his penalty into the top corner, explained his choice: "The keeper told me I missed my last one to the left so I thought I'd put it to the right." Albion midfielder Jayson Molumby added: "Conceding early gave them momentum so we're disappointed with that."
Where it leaves them: West Brom 5th on 25 points; Southampton 6th on 24 points. West Brom sit fifth on 25 points and Southampton sixth on 24 after their four-point deduction