By Jemma Tappenden
February 11 2007

West Bromwich Albion moved into an automatic promotion spot this weekend after taking a point at home to Southampton. In the end a point was enough as local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers did them the great honour of beating Preston North End away from home. After a snowy start to the weekends fixtures, ground staff at the Hawthorns had a job and a half to complete before the fixture with Southampton could take place. A lot of work later the 3rd placed team were ready to take on 5th placed Southampton, in a game that with the right results in the right places, could see the Baggies move 2nd and into an automatic promotion spot.

Nobody has scored as many goals at home this season as West Brom, but Southampton have scored more goals on their travels than any other side. So this game promised goals. Despite a bright start from the Baggies it was Southampton who had the first real threat on goal. Curtis Davies was booked by referee Mike Pike for a challenge on Saints striker Jones just outside the box. But Gareth Bale fired the freekick over the post without posing much threat to the Albion keeper. It was not long before Koumas took the ball to the other end of the field, searching for goal from 25 yards out but narrowly missing. However it was George Burley’s men who found the net first, leading scorer Grzegorz Rasiak slipped in behind the Albion defence to put a ball across the face of goal, leaving fellow striker Jones to tap home. The 18th minute goal saw the start of a scrappy spell, which continued throughout the remainder of the first half. It was 14 minutes before either side got another chance on goal, but Albion finally broke through with a half hearted attempt from Gera. Finally on the stroke of half time, a scuffed volley from Jason Koumas fell kindly to striker Kevin Phillips who made no mistake in netting the equaliser for the Baggies. 1-1 Half Time.

The second half saw more fight and purpose from both sides, as both sought a winning goal and 3 precious points. Kamara and Koumas made the first 15 minutes of the half hard for Southampton, but the Saints soon regrouped, and it was Albion who finished the game the more thankful for a point in the bag.

Despite only claiming a point the Baggies still climbed to 2nd spot in the Championship table, as neighbours Wolves did them the great favour of beating Preston North End. A win for the Baggies would have seen them move 2 points clear of Preston, but for now they will have to settle for goal difference. Mick McCarthy’s men battled hard and played well, Midfielder Olofinjana scoring the only goal of the game in the 8th minute to seal a precious away victory and 3 points for Wolves. Wolves have taken 7 points out of a possible 12 on their travels to the top 4 teams, with an impressive 2-0 win at Derby, and a 1-1 draw at Birmingham, leaving West Brom as the only top 4 side Wolves had failed to take points from away from home this season. This wins sees Wolves move within three points of a play off place.