Caretaker manager Keith Downing took charge of West Bromwich Albion for the final time when they visited Southampton in Premier League action this afternoon.
With new boss Pepe Mel watching from the stands, the Baggies failed to register a shot on target throughout a first half in which the hosts enjoyed 70% of possession, but also seldom threatened the goal.
The second-half introduction of Gaston Ramirez had an immediate impact, as the Uruguayan substitute clipped a pass around the corner for Adam Lallana to poke under Ben Foster on 66 minutes.
Albion had a golden chance to equalise late on when Liam Ridgewell squared for Shane Long to tap in unmarked from six yards, but Saints keeper Artur Boruc made a crucial reflex save with his leg to secure his side maximum points.
Below, you can read how the action unfolded, courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute coverage.
Afternoon, all! After the FA Cup third round fixtures last weekend, we are back to Premier League action today and Southampton vs. West Bromwich Albion is one of five 3.00pm Premier League kickoffs that Sports Mole is bringing to you live.
New Baggies manager Pepe Mel will take charge of first-team duties next week, but is only a spectator from the stands today as caretaker boss Keith Downing takes charge of Albion for the final time. They are unbeaten under his stewardship to date.
Team news coming your way shortly...
SOUTHAMPTON: Boruc; Clyne, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw; Cork, Schneiderlin, S. Davis; Lallana, Rodriguez, Lambert
SUBS: K. Davis, Yoshida, Ramirez, Ward-Prowse, Guly, Hooiveld, Gallagher
WBA: Foster; Reid, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Amalfitano, Morrison, Mulumbu, Brunt; Anelka, Long
SUBS: Myhill, Lugano, Berahino, Sinclair, Vydra, Gera, Yacob
Southampton have goalkeeper Artur Boruc back fit, and he replaces Kelvin Davis between the sticks. The Saints have conceded 16 goals in eight games during the Pole's injury layoff.
Four other key names are recalled from the XI that started against Burnley in the FA Cup last weekend, with captain Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez reclaiming their usual attacking midfield positions.
They will provide support to lone frontman Rickie Lambert, who has passed a fitness test to lead the Saints line in the absence of Dani Osvaldo, who is still serving a suspension for violent conduct.
Centre-back pair Jose Fonte and Dejan Lovren, who played such an important part in Southampton's flying start to the campaign, are both restored in defence as Jos Hooiveld and Maya Yoshida make way.
Jack Cork is retained in midfield as Mauricio Pochettino opts for an extra, more industrious body in the middle of the park, rather than wide men Gaston Ramirez or James Ward-Prowse.
Both of those men are on a Saints bench that also includes Guly do Prado, who returns after three months on the sidelines. Young full-back Calum Chambers misses out through illness.
Baggies boss Downing has plenty of options up front and today he goes with Nicolas Anelka and Shane Long as his strike pairing, despite speculation over the Irishman's long-term future.
The ex-Reading forward has been strongly linked with Hull City again this week, but with Nikica Jelavic seemingly heading to the KC Stadium, Long appears to be staying at The Hawthorns for now.
This afternoon he gets the nod ahead of Saido Berahino and Matej Vydra, who are both on the bench, as is Claudio Yacob as Downing prefers James Morrison in central midfield alongside Youssouf Mulumbu, who has overcome an eye injury to feature from the off.
Billy Jones is not fit, though as Albion smartly choose not to risk his concussion, so Stephen Reid deputises at right-back. Goran Popov, Diego Lugano Craig Dawson and Zoltan Gera all drop out along with Vydra, Berahino and Yacob as Downing makes seven changes in total.
Downing admitted this week that he did not know who Pepe Mel was prior to the Spaniard's appointment. He's not alone, either, but you can read SM's profile on the new Baggies manager to find more out about the ex-Real Betis boss.
Albion have followed Southampton's blueprint in bringing in a relative unknown from La Liga to take a Premier League hotseat. It has worked out well for Pochettino at St Mary's, and the Baggies fans will be hoping that Mel can have the same impact on their fortunes.
The Saints chief has wished his compatriot luck in his new role, telling Saints' Twitter account: "I know Pepe Mel very well from our time in La Liga. I wish him well - after 5pm today!"
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Honours have been relatively even between these two sides throughout Premier League history. Albion have won three of the seven meetings, two have been drawn and the Saints have tasted victory twice, most recently on the opening day of this season.
Just under 10 minutes until kickoff now...
ONE TO WATCH: Jay Rodriguez is having a fine season and although his England bow may have been a bit underwhelming, he is likely to still be in Roy Hodgson's thoughts. He'll be looking to impress the Three Lions boss this afternoon by continuing his fine scoring form.
PREDICTION: I think there will be a few goals in this. Despite Albion's recent unbeaten run, victories have been few and far between for both sides and I think they could have to settle for a point each again today. I'll plump for an entertaining 2-2 draw.
KICKOFF: The action is underway on the South Coast...
The first three minutes has been almost exclusively played in the West Brom half. Southampton send in crosses from either flank, but both are behind Lambert, the only Saints man in the box.
Shaw gallops forward down the left wing before dropping the ball of for Rodriguez, who had come deep. He chips over the top for Lallana, who cannot bring it down and the ball runs out of play.
SHOT! Lallana is such a clever player and he creates room for himself to get a shot away with a neat feint and after dropping the shoulder, he bends an effort straight at Ben Foster.
The hosts have another sight of goal as Lallana's cross is headed clear, but only to the edge of the box where Lambert picks it up, only to drag a left-footed shot a few yards wide.
Lambert comes deep and lays the ball off to Clyne, who attempts to release Rodriguez over the top with a first-time ball over the top. Foster charges off his line to clear before the offside flag is raised.
Olsson's clearance is straight at Steven Davis, who, with Foster not positioned in the centre of his goal, tries to find the net with an ambitious effort from distance that was always swerving wide to the right.
West Brom have hardly had a kick. They try to play themselves into the match with some passing in their own half (baby steps, I know), but Southampton's high pressing game nearly catches them out as Lambert robs Mulumbu, but the break eventually comes to nothing.
The Saints force a couple of corners in quick succession, the second of which falls to Cork on the edge of the box, who rashly decides to try a spectacular volley which flies wide, rather than recycle play.
Shaw is practically playing as a winger at present, and his deliver is as good as one too, but his pacey cross towards the near post is cut out by Gareth McAuley before Lambert can attack it.
A really clever touch from Schneiderlin on the centre circle takes two Baggies men out of the game and launches a Saints attack. All the pace is taken out of the move, though, and Clyne ends up standing a hopeful cross which is headed clear. A wasted opportunity for the hosts.
West Brom continue to offer very little going forward, but they have registered their first shot of the afternoon. Reid's well struck, but not well controlled 35-yard free kick does not test the returning Boruc, though.
BOOKING: Lovren jumps in on Long by the right touchline and catches the Republic of Ireland international on the ankle. The Croatian picks up a deserved caution and Long appears to be in a fair deal of pain. It was a bit of a rash tackle from the usually composed defender.
There's some tasty challenges going in now, as Mulumbu clatters into Rodriguez. There's a feisty edge to the game at the moment and that is favouring Albion at the moment. They have been slightly better in the last five minutes, but have still not threatened Boruc's goal in the slightest.
SHOT! For all of their possession, though, Southampton haven't had many chances to shout about themselves. A frustrated Lambert, starved of service, takes on a 30-yard shot which had some power behind it, but Foster gets everything behind it and holds the ball.
Mulumbu is again caught dawdling on the ball and Schneiderlin pinches it from him. The midfielder plays a reverse pass to Lallana, who twists and turns but then only succeeds in hitting the first man with his cross.
Lambert stands over a free kick, left of centre and some way out. It would have to be a very good strike to beat Foster from there, but we have seen him do it before. Not on this occasion, though, as his drive is blocked by the wall.
Shaw finds Lambert with a brilliant spread of the play, and the big target man shows great chest control before laying off for Lallana. He collects a return ball from his captain and then crosses to the back post, where McAuley flicks the ball away from danger with Davis looming behind him.
Albion nearly open up Southampton with a direct counter attack from a Saints corner. Long charges down the right and then picks out Morrison in the middle. He brings it inside but is then swarmed by three retreating red shirts, who thwart West Brom's most promising attack of the half.
The hosts have rampaging full-backs on both sides, and this time it is Clyne who gets forward. He stands a cross up for Lambert, who lets it fly across him before wildly volleying high into the stands.
We will have ONE minute of additional time at the end of this first period...
HALF TIME: SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 WEST BROM
Pepe Mel leaves his seat in the directors' box probably underwhelmed by what he's seen of his new side in the opening half at St Mary's Stadium. Albion have not posed even the slightest of threats on the Saints goal, but Southampton's neat passing has yet to yield any clear-cut chances either.
Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert have both tested Ben Foster from outside of the box, but that's where the hosts have been restricted to shooting from, with Jack Cork and Jay Rodriguez blazing off target.
STATS: Stephen Reid's free kick is the only shot Albion had in the opening 45 minutes, with Artur Boruc yet to be called into action. Only two of Southampton's nine shots have been on target, a poor return for the 70% possession that they have enjoyed.
BENCH WATCH: Gaston Ramirez or James Ward-Prowse could give Southampton's five-man midfield a bit more flair and attacking impetus if they are introduced. Guly do Prado is also an option, but he hasn't played in three months. Saido Berahino, who struck form over the festive period, and Matej Vydra, also a scorer over Christmas, are attacking alternatives for Keith Downing to ponder. Claudio Yacob could come on to even up the numbers in midfield and help them get more of the ball.
Southampton resume the action for the second half, with both sides unchanged...
Shaw makes another venture forward from left back. He pings a cross into the feet of Rodriguez, but his first touch is heavy and Olsson makes a clearance. Shaw has been Southampton's brightest spark.
CHANCE! For the third time this afternoon, Mulumbu is robbed of the ball and Rodriguez then runs at an exposed Baggies defence. He shifts the ball past McAuley and onto his right foot, before firing a shot a few yards wide of the right post. Best chance of the match.
Promising break from a seemingly more adventurous Albion after the break. Long and Anelka combine on the edge of the box, but the Frenchman's pass to the surging Amalfitano is overhit and goes behind.
Davis sends a free kick to the back post where Fonte climbs to win the header and Lambert nearly latches onto the knockdown, but Albion scramble the ball away from a congested penalty area.
BOOKING: Referee Howard Webb evens up the yellow card count by cautioning Long, who had asked for trouble by flying into Schneiderlin from behind and flooring the Frenchman.
Another decent counter attack from the Baggies as Long runs onto a ball over the top. He holds it up but then puts too much on his cross towards Amalfitano. The Frenchman chases it down, only to be flagged for offside after full-back Reid collected the loose ball and shifted it on.
SUBSTITUTION: Pochettino makes his first move and it is an attacking one. Gaston Ramirez enters the proceedings, with the more defensive-minded Jack Cork sacrificed to accommodate him.
The Uruguayan's dribble on the edge of the box wins Southampton a free kick in a very promising position. He had skipped past Morrison, but Anelka tripped him as he made the effort to track back.
SHOT! Ramirez himself takes it and generates some good pace and whip on a bending shot which Foster reads and then gathers following some good footwork. Very well held.
GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 WEST BROM (ADAM LALLANA)
Ramirez's introduction has an immediate impact as he provides Lallana with the opening goal! The substitute clips a pass from Clyne around the corner and it lands perfectly at the feet of the Saints skipper, who remains composed to slot under Foster.
I am not convinced that Ramirez's pass was intended for Lallana, but he put it into the right area and the England international was afforded too much space in the Baggies box. Foster did his best to panic Southampton's skipper, but there was no phasing him. A very tidy finish.
Morrison spreads the play to Reid, who heads the ball in front of himself to run onto. His cross is towards the six-yard box and only partially cleared, but Anelka's follow-up cross is blocked by the first man.
UPDATE! A day after confirming that he is MLS bound to play for Toronto FC, Jermain Defoe has come off the bench to score Tottenham's second at White Hart Lane. They lead Crystal Palace 2-0.
SUBSTITUTION: From one England World Cup hopeful to another. Saido Berahino comes on for Anelka, who didn't show anything today. He spent most of his time in positions from where he couldn't threaten the opposition goal, which is very unlike him.
Brilliant work from Fonte, who, after Ridgewell had dispossessed Davis and released Long, got in front of the Irishman to steal the ball away from him and prevent the Saints from being broken upon by the Baggies.
SUBSTITUTION: Downing makes another attacking change, swapping McAuley for Zoltan Gera. That switch will see a tactical adjustment too, with Albion now operating with three at the back.
Berahino embarks on a run, cutting inside from the left. He nearly loses it, but ends up flicking the ball out wide to Brunt, whose delivery, not for the first time today, is cut out by Fonte at the near post.
SUBSTITUTION: Lallana leaves the field to a standing ovation and is replaced by another academy graduate, James Ward-Prowse. Ramirez bends a 20-yard left-footed curler comfortably over the crossbar.
SUBSTITUTION: Albion make their final change, throwing on another forward in the shape of Matej Vydra. Amalfitano, another disappointing Baggies performer this afternoon, comes off.
Morrison produces a lovely pass to find the run of Vydra in the left channel, but he cannot pick out a man with his cross. Brunt delivers again from the left and it is a good one, but just too high for Olsson, who had made a great run from deep towards the penalty spot.
SAVE! Late heroics from Boruc, who has had nothing to do all match until now! Vydra flicks the ball around the corner for Ridgewell, who squares for Long. The striker is completely unmarked having come back from an offside position, and has a seemingly simple tap in, but Boruc throws a leg out to make a brilliant stop. Long should have scored, no doubt, but credit must go to Southampton's Polish stopper.
Ramirez counters on his own but cannot put the game to bed with an attempted lob, which was lacking enough power and height to make it over Foster and into the empty net behind him.
Downing ushers Ben Foster forward for a free kick in the final stages of THREE stoppage time minutes. Brunt bypasses the goalkeeper in delivering to the back post, where Boruc tips the ball behind for a corner which the Saints also deal with without major drama. That should be that.
FULL TIME: SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 WEST BROM
An important victory for Southampton, who again owe their victory to captain Adam Lallana. He scored the only goal of the game on 66 minutes to earn the Saints three points against a poor Albion side, who had new manager Pepe Mel watching from the stands. He has some work to do.
Goalkeeper Artur Boruc also made a big contribution, saving superbly from Shane Long in the 89th minute to ensure that the hosts hung on to their slender advantage at St Mary's Stadium. Mauricio Pochettino's men stay ninth, but close the gap on their rivals for European qualification.
That's it from me, but do stay tuned to Sports Mole to see if Swansea can complete an unlikely double over Manchester United this week. Thanks for joining us this afternoon. Until next time...
