Although Shilen Patel’s huge night didn’t produce the desired outcome, West Bromwich Albion fans are willing to overlook a single setback if it means a sustained upturn in the team’s performance.
Ryan Fraser and David Brooks goals put fellow promotion contenders Southampton back in the Championship’s top two, if only for a short while.
But for the home supporters, today was all about commemorating a fresh start off the field, as a takeover is scheduled to be finalized next week.
Less than a day after reaching an agreement to pay £60 million to purchase the team from controversial owner Guochuan Lai, investor Patel took a plane from Florida to sit in the directors’ box at The Hawthorns.
Supporters are optimistic that Patel would provide Albion with much-needed financial clout after Lai’s nearly eight years of underinvestment and uncertainty.
Less than a day after reaching an agreement to pay £60 million to purchase the team from controversial owner Guochuan Lai, investor Patel took a plane from Florida to sit in the directors’ box at The Hawthorns.
Supporters are optimistic that Patel would provide Albion with much-needed financial clout after Lai’s nearly eight years of underinvestment and uncertainty.
The prospective new chairman was welcomed with applause prior to kickoff, and the deal is expected to be finalized the following week. However, West Brom had the worst start imaginable.
After just six minutes of play, Carlos Corberan was sent to the stands under peculiar circumstances. Referee Sam Allison saw that the head coach had left his technical area and touched the ball with his foot while it was still in play.
As the home team struggled to keep up with Southampton’s fast-paced passing, Alex Palmer’s mishandled pass was picked up by Sekou Mara, setting up Adam Armstrong for a one-on-one opportunity. However, the goalie made up for his mistake by spreading out to block the shot.
Just before the quarter of an hour, Fraser found space at the far post to head in a beautiful volley from Stuart Armstrong’s first-time cross after a short corner, giving Southampton a small reprieve.
It appeared as though West Brom may collapse for a spell, but they steadily gained the upper hand and were unfortunate not to be tied at the break when John Swift missed a 25-yard attempt.
Then, after Okay Yokuslu had flicked on a corner, Darnell Furlong’s header struck Jack Stephens’ arm, and the goalkeeper quickly cleared from beneath his own crossbar. Furlong’s plea for a penalty was turned down.
After failing to maintain that momentum in the second half, Albion was eliminated in the 73rd minute when Brooks scored his first goal since joining on loan from Bournemouth late last month after swiping a square cross from fellow replacement Samuel Edozie.
Even so, Corberan’s team persevered, but as Gavin Bazunu skillfully leaped to block Jan Bednarek’s diving header, it was not their night.
