W Brom 0 – 0 So’ton

The Championship play-off semi-final between West Brom and Southampton shall be determined within the second leg after the groups performed out a 0-0 first-leg draw at The Hawthorns on Sunday.

In what was an open encounter on a scorching day within the Midlands, simply 5 of the 26 photographs the groups generated between them hit the goal.

Grady Diangana had a giant likelihood to place the Baggies in entrance in every half, although Ross Stewart got here the closest with simply over 10 minutes to play, forcing an excellent improvised save from goalkeeper Alex Palmer.

West Brom and Southampton will face off towards at St Mary’s on Friday night time – dwell on Sky Sports activities Soccer – for a spot within the play-off last on Sunday Could 26.

How one other Championship first leg ended goalless

West Brom flew out of the traps at The Hawthorns and managed the tempo within the first 10 minutes. Southampton did decide themselves as much as take cost of the possession, as they so typically do, and got here shut when Flynn Downes exchanged passes with Joe Aribo and drew a sensible save from Alex Palmer.

The Baggies matched their opponents when Tom Fellows discovered Diangana with a cross to the far submit, with the DR Congo worldwide forcing McCarthy to avoid wasting nicely at his close to submit.

Simply after the hour, they threatened once more. Mikey Johnston picked the ball up after his preliminary supply was headed clear by Jan Bednarek and delivered to the far submit, the place Darnell Furlong prodded previous the far submit.

As the ultimate whistle acquired nearer, the sport sparked into life. At one finish, McCarthy gained the battle between himself and Diangana for a second time – and from the ensuing counter, substitute Stewart’s shot took a deflection, with Palmer having to shortly alter his stance to make an excellent save along with his ft.

West Brom had been denied a penalty late on when Ryan Fraser appeared to journey Diangana as he entered the field from the fitting, with replays suggesting referee Josh Smith had made the proper name. And so it completed all sq., to extend the expectation on Friday’s essential second leg.

Corberan: Robust mentality wanted for second leg

West Brom supervisor Carlos Corberan instructed Sky Sports activities: “It was a really equal, very balanced sport. A really powerful sport for each groups. I believe we had been higher than them within the first 15-20 minutes of the primary half; they had been controlling us higher within the first quarter-hour of the second half.

“Within the different components of the sport, it was alternate, with moments the place we managed them and so they managed us. Related kinds of probabilities, comparable numbers of set-pieces, too. I believe we noticed at present how equal the sport was.

“We have to assessment, analyse and see how we are able to play the following sport even higher.

“We have to go along with a powerful mentality as a result of we all know we’re taking part in away. When you understand the reward is to go to Wembley and you understand the reward after Wembley is to go to the Premier League, you can not anticipate any sort of simple state of affairs.”

Martin inspired by Saints’ potential to enhance

Southampton supervisor Russell Martin instructed Sky Sports activities: “Robust sport, tight sport. Two good probabilities for them, two good probabilities for us. I am delighted with the clear sheet and I noticed loads of stuff I actually preferred, however I believe we are able to additionally do some stuff lots higher, which is admittedly constructive for us.

“It was a sizzling day with a sticky pitch and it was tough, however the gamers stayed actually courageous and actually aggressive and defended very well.

“We have to take the positives from this one, study, enhance and, on Friday, ship on the pitch. The tie is in the identical place it was earlier than at present and each groups now solely have one sport to win to get to Wembley and we’ll strategy it in that means.”

‘Returning gamers may make the distinction’

Sky Sports activities’ Jobi McAnuff: “For the gamers who performed the vast majority of the minutes at present, it is about restoration and making an attempt to get as recent as you may for that second sport.

“There shall be loads of hope for getting some gamers again and I believe we noticed that at present. I noticed Ashley Barnes earlier than the sport and he is hopeful of getting again for the second leg and we have spoken about Che Adams. These are folks that actually do make that distinction that the sport lacked slightly bit.

“You need your large gamers to step up in these actual large video games as it is so tense, so tight and generally it comes right down to as soon as likelihood, one alternative.”

What’s subsequent?

Friday seventeenth Could 7:00pm


Kick off 8:00pm

West Brom and Southampton will face off towards each other within the second leg at St Mary’s at 8pm on Friday Could 17, dwell on Sky Sports activities Soccer.

The winners will advance to the Sky Guess Championship play-off last, which shall be performed at Wembley on Sunday Could 26.