Southampton moved back into the Championship’s automatic-promotion spots with a convincing 2-0 win against West Brom.
Ryan Fraser and David Brooks scored for Southampton as they returned to second place, one point ahead of Leeds in the race for an instant return to the Premier League.
The game saw a controversial moment early on when West Brom’s head coach, Carlos Corberan, was sent off for misconduct after kicking the ball while it was still in play.
Despite West Brom’s efforts, including a denied penalty appeal for handball, Southampton’s dominance prevailed. Off the pitch, Florida-based Shilen Patel is set to purchase an 87.8 percent stake in West Brom’s parent company, West Bromwich Albion Group Limited.
This takeover, expected to be finalized next week, will end Guochuan Lai’s tenure as the club’s owner. The win was crucial for Southampton, who lost their club record 25-game unbeaten run in their previous match.
They came out with a point to prove and took the lead through Fraser’s fine volley from a corner. Brooks sealed the victory with a well-taken goal in the second half, leaving West Brom with a third home league defeat of the season.