Following today’s clash between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton, here are the instant reactions from both managers.
West Bromwich Albion hosted Southampton at The Hawthorns in the FA Cup for a 3pm kick off on Saturday February 17, with the visitors taking a two one victory to make Alan Pardew’s week even worse.
An eleventh minute goal from Wesley Hoedt got Southampton under way and Dusan Tadic made it two in the 56th minute. Salomon Rondon did give them hope two minutes as he found the back of the net, but West Brom couldn’t get a second to make a match of it.
Fans will decide themselves if Jonny Evans and Gareth Barry should’ve taken to the pitch, but for Southampton they’ll be focusing on reaching the quarter final stage for the first time since 2005.
Teams:
West Brom:
Foster, Dawson, McAuley, Hegazi, Evans, Phillips (Burke 89), Krychowiak (Field 82), Barry (Brunt 72), McClean, Rondon, Rodriguez.
Substitutes:
Nyom, Yacob, Myhill, Gabr Mossad.
Southampton:
McCarthy, Soares, Stephens, Hoedt, Bertrand, Hojbjerg (Romeu 78), Lemina, Ward-Prowse, Tadic, Redmond (Gabbiadini 72), Carrillo (Sims 85).
Substitutes:
Pied, Bednarek, McQueen, Forster.
Speaking to the BBC’s cameras a short time after match day referee Chris Kavanagh blew the final whistle, West Brom head coach Alan Pardew explained.
‘I didn`t think we were great in the first half after a week of not what you would have really wished for, but we pushed Southampton in the second half. Then we get a great goal and there was a grandstand finish. But it defines our season, we know what to do now. It`s been difficult but in terms of experience on the pitch and attitude and reaction, I was pleased. It was a difficult day for the players, we gave a good account of ourselves and we are slightly unfortunate.’
Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino in his comparative interview explained.
‘It was important for us for many reasons, we go to the next round in one game, and also because we wanted to give opportunities to players not playing too much. And we wanted to improve the spirit ahead of the next Premier League game. They were really strong in direct play, and they are very good from set plays. It was a really tight game, we were really focussed today. Now the most important thing is to believe in our job and our way.’
