West Bromwich Albion travelled to St Mary's this afternoon hoping to end a run of four games without a win against Southampton.
The visitors took an early lead when Marc Antoine-Fortune scrambled home from close range, with Southampton struggling to mount a response.
Romelu Lukaku doubled their advantage after the break, before Gaston Ramirez and Fortune were both dismissed following an altercation in midfield.
Shane Long completed the scoring with a low finish late on the Baggies ran out comfortable 3-0 winners, with Danny Fox also sent off in the closing stages.
Look back at an impressive performance from Steve Clarke's men with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Good afternoon Premier League fans. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for live coverage of the clash between in-form Southampton and West Bromwich Albion at St Mary's Stadium. Just six points and four places separate the two sides as they both look to secure a credible top-half finish.
Southampton have been nothing short of superb in recent weeks, amassing 12 points from their last six matches under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino. Impressive recent home wins over Chelsea and Liverpool have underlined their progress in recent weeks and put daylight between Saints and the bottom three.
West Brom travel to the South Coast on a poor run of form and have failed to win any of their last four league games. Steve Clarke will hope the Baggies can build on a battling point against Newcastle United last weekend to maintain their push for a top-eight finish.
The reverse fixture between these two sides last November seems a distant memory, with a Saints side led by Nigel Adkins beaten 2-0 at The Hawthorns thanks to a brace from Peter Odemwingie. Before Christmas, Saints seemed resigned to a tense relegation battle, but a vast improvement in recent months means they are now eight points clear of the bottom three with four games left to play.
West Brom's form has also altered radically since that golden Autumn run, which saw the Baggies cap a superb winning streak with victory at Anfield. Clarke is now aiming to consolidate with a top-half finish and ensure his team's stellar efforts in 2012 are rewarded.
West Brom's form has also altered radically since that golden Autumn run, which saw the Baggies cap a superb winning streak with victory at Anfield. Clarke is now aiming to consolidate with a top-half finish and ensure his team's stellar efforts in 2012 are rewarded.
The Baggies will be without skipper Chris Brunt today, who continues to struggle with a persistent knee problem. Youssouf Mulumbu has also been a big miss through suspension in the last two matches and serves the final game of his three-match ban this afternoon.
Pochettino has a relatively healthy squad to choose from, with Morgan Schneiderlin and Guly do Prado all passed fit to play. Young duo James Ward-Prowse and Luke Shaw are the only injury doubts, giving the Saints boss the chance to juggle his options this afternoon.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! The starting XI from Southampton has just been released, with Pochettino deciding not to make any changes from the side which secured a goalless draw at Swansea City last weekend. A full look at the starting lineup for the home side will follow shortly.
SOUTHAMPTON: Boruc, Clyne, Yoshida, Hooiveld, Fox, Schneiderlin, Cork, S. Davis, Rodriguez, Lallana, Lambert
Despite failing to score in their last two matches Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez continue in attack for Saints, supported by the advanced midfield duo of Adam Lallana and Steven Davis. Schneiderlin has also shrugged off a fitness concern to take his place in a central area next to Jack Cork.
West Brom boss Clarke has decided to make three changes for this afternoon's clash, with Shane Long the most notable inclusion as the forward is picked to partner Romelu Lukaku in an attacking lineup. The Baggies' starting XI will follow in just a few moments.
WEST BROM: Foster, Reid, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Yacob, Dorrans, Fortune, Morrison, Lukaku, Long
Long is joined in the starting XI by Liam Ridgewell and Steven Reid, who replace Goran Popov and Billy Jones in the side. Marc Antoine-Fortunue keeps his place in the team as the Baggies look for more end product in the final third this afternoon.
Saints starlet Shaw has used Twitter to confirm that he was forced to miss out this afternoon with an ankle problem picked up in training. Here is what the promising full-back said a few moments ago.
Shaw tweeted: "Gutted to miss out today from picking up a ankle injury yesterday. Anyways 3 points for us today ! #COYR"
Shaw's omission means that Vegard Forren is named on the Southampton bench, which includes a string of attacking options. Jason Puncheon, Gaston Ramirez and Emmanuel Mayuka could all come on to influence the game for Saints if required.
The Baggies also have a strong bench at their disposal this afternoon, including prodigal son Odemwingie and Swedish striker Markus Rosenberg. A complete look at the substitutes for both sides will follow in a few moments.
SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: K. Davis, Fonte, Ramírez, Forren, Guly, Mayuka, Puncheon
WEST BROM SUBS: Myhill, Thomas, Jones, Odemwingie, Rosenberg, D Daniels, Tamas
Saints striker Lambert is chasing a personal landmark this afternoon, with a goal making him only the third Englishman to score 15 Premier League goals for the club. Matthew Le Tissier and James Beattie are the other men to reach that milestone for Southampton, so there is a real incentive for Lambert to find the target today.
FINAL SCORE! A quick update on this afternoon's early kickoff which featured Manchester City and West Ham United. Goals from Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure have helped City secure a 2-1 win despite a late consolation from Andy Carroll.
A quick look at West Brom's form in 2013 makes it hard to believe that Clarke's side still sit eighth in the table. The Baggies have won just three times since Boxing Day, a run which includes 14 Premier League matches.
Clarke will be looking to find consistency away from home this afternoon, with away points extremely difficult to come by in recent weeks. Saints have also failed to win their last two matches, making this afternoon's clash an intriguing mid-table battle.
While mathematically Saints are not safe, it would take an almighty collapse to prevent them staying up at this stage. No promoted side has ever stayed up after losing their first three games, and Saints lost their first four. The unassuming Pochettino has added discipline to a fluid passing style and has quickly become a firm favourite on the South Coast.
PREDICTION! With Saints in such fine form in recent weeks I won't be pulling up any trees by calling a home win this afternoon. West Brom have been dismal away from home recently but are more than capable of scoring with Long and Lukaku in attack. I'll go for Lambert and Lallana to net in a 2-1 Saints win.
Both teams are out and ready to play at a sunny St. Mary's, with referee Robert Madley about to get his first top-flight match underway. Can Saints extend their unbeaten run to seven matched and boost their push for a top-ten finish this afternoon?
Saints get the match underway and immediately force Ben Foster into action as he catches a low cross towards the near post from Lallana. The England keeper was out quickly to read the danger and prevent Lambert from making contact in the six-yard box.
The Baggies mount a quick break at the other end through Fortune, who is just kept at bay by a fine covering challenge from Clyne. Both sides look full of attacking intent early on as Rodriguez chases down a lost cause in the final third, but fails to win a corner kick.
Fortune has a strong handball appeal against Jos Hooiveld turned down just outside the penalty area, but West Brom are quick to recycle possession and win a corner kick. Boruc does just enough to clear, with Ridgewell's instant cross back towards danger finding Lukaku in an offside position.
GOAL! Southampton 0-1 West Brom (Fortune)
Saints have fallen behind after failing to deal with a corner kick, which Lukaku earned by forcing a fine low save from Boruc. West Brom kept the ball in a dangerous area and were rewarded as Fortune's shot hit Boruc, came back off the striker and eventually trickled just over the line. A quick flag from the linesman indicated that the ball had crossed the line and West Brom have an early advantage!
The home side immediately go in search of an equaliser as Davis finds Rodgiguez in space with a neat pass in the final third. His cutback towards Lambert is blocked clear towards Schneiderlin, who saw his powerful low drive deflected to safety by Olsson.
More slick passing in the final third from Saints has Davis and Clyne taking up advanced positions, before Lallana's cross is just diverted wide by an important header from McAuley. This has been a fine response from Pochettino's men to that early setback.
Fortune continues his lively start by dropping deep to head clear a long Southampton goal kick. Lallana then comes out on top in a fierce midfield duel with Yacob, but Lambert's header towards goal was difficult and finished well wide of the target.
SAVE! Morrison sets Lukaku free with a terrific passing exchange with Dorrans in central midfield. The forward has time to open his body up and aim at goal from a wide angle, but a scuffed low strike is scrambled clear by a strong save from Boruc.
Saints race up the other end to win their first corner kick, but a curling cross from Fox is cleared by Yacob under little pressure. A clever pass from Schiederlin then puts Clyne in space down the right as the home side look to build a sustained spell of pressure. Fox eventually decides to hit a loose pass towards goal, but his strike has too much power and sails well over the crossbar.
West Brom continue to defend deep and look to spring quickly on the counter, but a loose pass from Yacob gifts Saints possession in the final third. Lallana attempted to find Rodriguez in the penalty area, but his low cross was misplaced and allowed the visitors to clear with relative ease.
Long comes within inches of meeting a clever through ball from Lukaku, but Clyne has just enough pace to intercept and clear for a corner kick. McAuley and Olsson fail to communicate effectively at the back post and end up both missing the chance to head at goal unmarked. Saints look vulnerable from set pieces and need to reorganise defensively.
YELLOW CARD! Hooiveld picks up the game's first caution after tussling with Fortune as they bid to win a long ball forward. From the following free kick Olsson gets clear at the far post and loops a cross back into danger, but his ball has too much height for Lukaku and another chance goes begging for the Baggies.
Saints spring a quick counter and win a corner kick as an effort from distance by Rodriguez is deflected wide. West Brom once again use their physical presence to clear as McAuley continues to get the better of Lambert in an entertaining aerial duel.
SAVE! A fine save from Foster has just kept West Brom ahead. Shane Long went to sleep at the far post and allowed Clyne time and space to weigh up his options inside the penalty area. The full-back aimed a forceful drive towards goal but Foster was at full stretch to tip the effort above his crossbar with both hands.
YELLOW CARD! Yacob picks up a deserved booking after pulling at the shirt of Rodriguez on at least two occasions. The striker attempted to continue his forward burst but was eventually brought down, leaving the official with little choice but to issue his second caution.
Lambert steps up to take a free kick from around 30 yards from goal, but his bending effort finishes well wide of the top corner and never had Foster in danger. At the other end Fortune continues to cause Yoshida problems as the central defender clears hurriedly under pressure.
Long shows neat footwork in central midfield to win a foul after a strong defensive run from Morrison had retrieved possession for the visitors. That high work ethic and willingness to track runners has typified an efficient first-half display thus far from the Baggies.
Yacob runs the risk of picking up a second yellow card for a late lunge in midfield but the referee decides a warning will serve as enough punishment at this stage. Reid then gifts the home side possession with a short pass as Lallana drives forward, but his cross is turned away from a late Davis run by a stray touch from Rodriguez.
Dorrans leads a swift Baggies break and picks out Long around 30 yards from goal after covering ground quickly. The forward has passing options on both flanks but decides to shoot from distance, sending a poor strike well over the crossbar.
West Brom win a corner kick as Fox is forced to head behind under pressure. The visitors create another chance as Olsson heads down, but his effort is smashes clear by a covering defender. Long and Lukaku quickly combine to create another shot at goal, but the Belgian's low strike bounces up at a comfortable height for Boruc and is kept out.
HALF-TIME Southampton 0-1 West Brom
Fortune's first goal since November has West Brom ahead at the interval after a fine performance from Clarke's side in the opening period. Saints have looked poor defensively and paid the price for some slack defending early on to fall behind.
Saints have struggled to supply Lambert and Rodriguez with quality passes in the final third, despite the willing forward runs of Lallana from midfield. West Brom have matched their imposing physical style with running and spirit in the final third and are good value for their narrow advantage at the break.
Saints need to ease their pressure on their struggling backline by controlling possession after the break. Cork and Schneiderlin have struggled to cope with the box-to-box running of Dorrans and Morrison so far this afternoon, allowing the Baggies to spring forward quickly on the counter.
Clarke's decision to recall Long and go with a three-man attack has also been vindicated, with Fortune in particular posing a potent threat every time he surges forward. His advanced wide role has helped to subdue Clyne and Davis for much of the first period.
Pochettino does have options on the bench, with Ramirez in a particular a player capable of changing the march with a moment of individual quality. The Saints boss most also be concerned with his side's slack marking from set pieces so far today, particularly given the height West Brom possess in attack.
Both sides are back out at St Mary's, with Clarke's side just 45 minutes away from only their fourth win from 15 Premier League games. Saints have just edged possession but need a creative spark to get back in the match when play resumes.
SUBSTITUTION: Saints have decided to make a positive change at the interval, with record signing Ramirez coming on for Cork. That will mean Davis drops deeper to fill a void in central midfield, with the Uruguayan taking up an advanced position behind Lambert and Rodriguez.
Dorrans concedes possession in his own half, allowing Ramires to drive forward and win a corner kick after being blocked by McAuley. The cross is whipped in at the near post towards Yoshida, but the defender just fails to make contact and the Baggies escape.
Saints have started the second half strongly as they enjoy a prolonged spell of possession. Ramires is quickly involved again as he controls a long diagonal pass from Hooiveld around 30 yards from goal. The playmaker has options with time and space but elects to smash well over with a powerful drive from distance.
The visitors launch a counter down the right through Lukaku, who swings an angled cross towards the far post. Fortune fails to read his strike partner's intentions and the ball sails beyond Boruc and wide of the far post.
YELLOW CARD! Danny Fox becomes the third player to be booked after cynically pulling Lukaku's shirt as the forward drove forward from a wide position. Saints quickly regain possession as Clyne surges forward from full-back to exchange passes with Davis. He eventually reaches the penalty area and sees is cross come crashing off the bar and out to safety.
Long brings down Clyne with a late challenge near the corner flag, ending a West Brom counter that saw the Irishman isolated in attack. At the other end Rodriguez dithers in possession and fails to read a forward run from Lambert, who has lacked service in to the penalty area all afternoon.
Both sides are just struggling to keep possession in frantic spell as Long and Ramires take turns to concede the ball with sloppy passes. Clyne picks up the mantle and shows pace and purpose once more to win a throw deep in the final third. He eventually crosses into the penalty area, but his effort sails harmlessly through for Foster to catch cleanly.
YELLOW CARD! Ridgewell picks up a merited caution after flying into a sliding challenge on Ramires from behind without winning the ball. A poor and needless tackle in the opposition half makes it two bookings each at St Mary's.
GOAL! Southampton 0-2 West Brom (Lukaku)
A classy finish from Lukaku has seen West Brom open up a 2-0 advantage. A clever though ball from Fortune placed between two central defenders put the Belgian clean through on goal just outside the penalty area. Lukaku showed composure beyond his years to round Boruc with ease and tap into an empty net for his 14th goal of the season.
DOUBLE RED CARD! All hell as broken lose at St Mary's and following a lengthy delay both sides have had a player sent off. Ramires was the first to go after clearly elbowing Long, but in the following scuffle Fortune was heavily involved and also gets his marching orders. Incredible scenes as both sides quickly lose an attacking option.
After studying replays of the incident both sides can have little complaint with the referee's decision. Although Long was first to make contact with Ramires he definitely raised an elbow in the tussle. Fortune stupidly raises his hands to the Uruguayan's face and as result had to be dismissed.
BLOCK! More fine forward play from Lukaku just had Southampton scrambling to prevent a third goal. The forward robbed possession and out wide and drove towards goal from the byline. His cutback found the late run of Morrison, who was denied by an important late block as Saints survive another scare.
GOAL! Southampton 0-3 West Brom (Long)
West Brom are home and dry thanks to another incisive counter from Lukaku. His clever run and pass in the final third found Long, who aimed a squirming low shot just under Boruc, who should probably have done better. Saints fans are leaving in their droves late on and this match is effectively over.
RED CARD! The home side are down to nine men for the final few minutes after Danny Fox's late lunge on Steven Reid near the corner flag. A desperate late lunge with studs showing has the referee reaching for a straight red card, despite the fact that Fox was already on a booking. A shocking afternoon for Saints goes from bad to worse.
SUBSTITUTION: Lukaku gets a well-earned rest as he is withdrawn to a warm reception from the travelling Baggies, who must wish they could keep the Belgian powerhouse for another season. He is replaced by Jerome Thomas who will provide fresh legs in the closing stages.
SUBSTITUTION: Pochettino decides to shore things up and avoid conceding further in the last few minutes as Jose Fonte comes on for Lambert, who looks fed up as he trudges to the touchline. West Brom also make their final change as Swedish striker Markus Rosenberg replaces Long.
Mayuka sums up a frustrating afternoon for Southampton as he fires wide from distance with an aimless swerving drive.
FULL-TIME Southampton 0-3 West Bromwich Albion
Well in the end West Brom have ripped up the form book in a comprehensive 3-0 win at St Mary's thanks to a rampant three-man forward line. Referee Robert Madley issued three red cards on his top-flight debut, but ultimately the Baggies were worthy winners.
Thanks for joining Sports Mole for an impressive West Brom win at St Mary's, ending a run of four games without a victory. Good afternoon.
