By Stuart Kidson
March 1 2003

If the defeat by West Ham was the first nail in the Albion's coffin, then it was Dermot Gallagher who started hammering the second. The referee joined the growing list of officials who have denied clear penalty kicks to the Baggies this season. Southampton v West Bromwich Albion
Saturday 1st March 2003

If the defeat by West Ham was the first nail in the Albion's coffin, then it was Dermot Gallagher who started hammering the second. The referee joined the growing list of officials who have denied clear penalty kicks to the Baggies this season when he waved away claims for a spot kick at St. Mary's. Despite the officials reluctance to award the spot kick the Baggies must take some of the blame for today's defeat. Again the team gave a very mediocre performance in the first half and came alive in the second, pushing the Saints for most of the half.

Southampton took the lead in the 7th minute when a stunning 20-yard drive by James Beattie left Albion keeper Russell Hoult grasping at air. However, there is controversy surrounding the goal as it had clearly crossed the touchline for a throw in but the linesman kept his flag down allowing Paul Telfer to find Brett Ormerod. His lay-off set up Beattie and the newly capped England striker made no mistake in finding the net.

The home side looked lively when moving forward and Hoult had to be alert on several occasions to prevent the Saints scoring their 300th Premiership goal. Ormerod was proving to be a thorn in the side of the Baggies defence when twice in the space of 10 minutes he was involved with some neat football by the Saints. Houlty had to race off his line and gather the ball from the strikers feet after a Fabrice Fernades through ball had split the defence, and then when Ormerod found Fernades on the outside. The Frenchman's cross was blocked but fell to Telfer who was ineffective against Phil Gilchrist.

Gilly again came to the rescue for the Baggies minutes later when Fernandes, again saw his 25-yard drive blocked by the defender. The Baggies looked uneasy in all areas of the pitch and the Saints took full advantage of the lack of confidence in the Albion ranks. Larus Sigurdsson saw his attempted clearance blocked and Claus Lundekvam was unable to control the ball before Ronnie Wallwork cleared for the visitors.

Lee Hughes found space on a rare foray into the Saints half but was tripped by Wayne Bridge, who found himself cautioned by Gallagher for the foul. Jason Koumas took the free-kick which just scraped the Southampton goalpost. Minutes later Wallwork found himself with space just inside the area after being set up by Derek McInnes but his shot went high and wide of the mark. Gary Megson decided that changes were needed in defence and bought on Neil Clement for Ifeyani Udeze in an attempt to curb the flow of crosses from the left-hand side of the pitch.

Southampton's defence had looked uncomfortable against Danny Dichio and Lee Hughes and repeatedly climbed all over the pair throughout the first half, but this seemed to be ignored by referee Gallagher. Albion were awarded a free-kick after Lundekvam had pushed Dichio and Clement stepped up to try and find the equaliser. His shot, however, flew straight into the Saints wall.

The Saints response was swift when Ormerod again shot wide from close range. It was then the turn of Matthew Oakley to test Houlty's ability and his low drive was pushed around the upright by the keeper. Just before the interval Ormerod and Beattie combined which ended with a terrific shot from the former Blackpool striker bringing out another world class save from Houlty.

Megson made changes during the break when he bought on Scott Dobie for Wallwork and reverted to a flat back four in defence, but 2 minutes into the new half the Saints had the ball in the back of the net again. This time however, Gallagher had seen a push by Beattie on Siggy and the goal was ruled out.

Fernandes again was to prove difficult to contain when his shot from distance shaved the top of the crossbar. However, it was a different Baggies side that started the second half and Scottish international Dobie was instrumental in McInnes's shot at goal after 8 minutes. Dobes had found his way blocked by the saints defence but Macca came out on top after a fierce tackle to regain possession. His left foot shot went wide of the saints upright.

Despite a slow start to the half, the Baggies started to play with more vigour and Sean Gregan and Gilly were starting to float more and more crosses into the Saints area which were cleared by a very pressured defence. Koumas was also seeing more of the ball and his runs from midfield were beginning to upset the Saints defence. The saints were struggling to contain the Baggies and again the front pair of Dichio and Hughes found themselves being impeded by the defenders climbing all over them.

Most of the Baggies attack involved Dobes and he earned the Baggies a corner when a dangerous right wing cross was put out by Bridge. The resulting kick failed to bring about any result for the Albion as Dichio headed wide of the mark.

Gregan was caught late by Oakley and required treatment and the saints man was shown a Yellow card by Gallagher. Beattie came close for the home side after an uncharacteristic mistake by Gilly presented the ball for the convicted drink driver 15-yards out, only for Siggy to block when he looked certain to find the net. Albion again pressed forward with Dobes and Lundekvam did well to block a low cross from the Scottish international.

The travelling support, again providing most of the noise for the afternoon, were screaming for a penalty when Hughsie was hacked down in front of them just as he was about to shoot at an open goal. Referee Gallagher decided that there was no foul and waved play on.

With 13 minutes left on the clock Saints bought on Jo Tessum for Ormerod and the Baggies sent on Jordao for McInnes. The Albion fans were again screaming for a penalty minutes later when a corner by Koumas appeared to be caught with both hands by a saints defender. Amazingly Gallagher again waved away any claims and Dichio found himself in the book for dissent.

Jordao made a nuisance of himself in the Southampton area and tried an acrobatic scissor kick that went straight to Antti Niemi in the Saints goal. With the Baggies pushing forward so much a saints counter attack in the dying minutes bought out another great save by Houlty when David Prutton shot low to his right.

Gallagher bought the game to an end and all three points stayed in Southampton. Hughsie had to be restrained by team mates following the whistle when he let his feelings become very clear to referee Gallagher and his two inept assistants.

Despite a very poor first half by the Albion, something which manager Megson had commented on following games against Charlton, Bolton and West Ham, the Baggies showed the strength of character appreciated by the travelling support. The will to win is definitely there in the team but seemingly only surfaces during the second half.

Man-of-the-Match selected by Mr. Andy Richards of West Bromwich - Jason Koumas

Team: Russell Hoult, Larus Sigurdsson, Darren Moore, Phil Gilchrist, Ronnie Wallwork ( 45 ), Derek McInnes ( 77 ), Sean Gregan ( Capt. ), Jason Koumas, Ifeyani Udeze ( 25 ), Lee Hughes, Danny Dichio

Subs : Joe Murphy, Adam Chambers, Scott Dobie ( 45 ), Jordao ( 77 ), Neil Clement ( 25 )