West Brom 3-0 Southampton: Baggies overcome VAR chaos as Mbaye Diagne's header is ruled out within minutes but Matheus Pereira, Matt Phillips and Callum Robinson go on to secure crucial victory
- West Brom now have back-to-back victories for the first time this season
- The Baggies were denied an early goal in controversial fashion due to VAR
- Matheus Pereira, Matt Phillips and Callum Robinson were on target for the hosts
- Sam Allardyce's men dream of the great escape but are still eight points adrift
- Latest Premier League news, including fixtures and results
- Premier League table - as it stands
Whisper it but West Brom are starting to truly believe in a second Great Escape.
Sixteen years after the Baggies became the first team in Premier League history to stay up despite being bottom at Christmas, the current generation are suddenly dreaming of emulating them.
For the first time this season, Albion managed back-to-back league wins as they followed their 5-2 triumph at Chelsea last week by despatching Southampton, who produced a dire display in their final match before Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Leicester at Wembley.
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Saints' misery was complete when James Ward-Prowse had a stoppage-time penalty saved.
'It was a non-performance,' said manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.
'If we play like this we have no chance on Sunday.'
First-half goals from Matheus Pereira — from the penalty spot — and Matt Phillips put Sam Allardyce's side in command before Callum Robinson struck the third in the 69th minute.
It is still a very tall order for West Brom to preserve their top-flight status and they remain in the bottom three, eight points adrift of safety with seven games left.
But, if they keep playing like this, Allardyce will strengthen the case for keeping the job next season even if West Brom cannot achieve the improbable.
'These two wins are making people prick up their ears,' said Allardyce.
'Unfortunately we have to rely on others losing as well as us winning.
'Games are running out, it's just a pity we didn't turn it around five or six games ago, as our performances deserved.
'We wanted to play Aston Villa this weekend as neither of us had a game but we haven't been allowed to. That means we have to sit and hope the teams above us lose.'
Allardyce had challenged his players to repeat their sensational performance at Stamford Bridge and, in the first half, they delivered.
Only a mystifying VAR decision stopped them taking an early lead. Mbaye Diagne headed in Darnell Furlong's cross-shot but was initially ruled offside.
Though the linesman's call was upheld, it was unclear whether Diagne or Kyle Bartley — who did not seem to be interfering with play — had been judged offside.
'VAR failed us massively,' added Allardyce. 'The reflection on VAR can be done at the end of the season and all stakeholders should have an input — the Professional Footballers' Association, League Managers Association, Premier League and Football Association.'
It was later explained that the video assistant referee could not reverse the offside decision because officials could not find a definitive camera angle.
West Brom did not let their heads drop. Sam Johnstone saved well from Kyle Walker-Peters before Saints keeper Fraser Forster twice denied Conor Townsend. Sluggish Saints were simply unable to stem the flow and, just after the half-hour mark, Albion took a deserved lead.
Pereira was sent crashing to the ground by Forster and claimed penalty duties — to the apparent annoyance of Diagne.
The Brazilian's confidence was justified, however, as he sent Forster the wrong way, and four minutes later Allardyce's men doubled their lead.
Danny Ings' loose pass let in Diagne, who charged forward and delivered a low cross that was perfect for the sliding Phillips to turn in at the far post. Saints were lucky still to be alive in the match by half-time after allowing their opponents 13 shots.
But they flew out of the traps in the second half and pinned West Brom back.
However, the home side's resilience was rewarded when Saints lost their way in midfield and Okay Yoksulu threaded a splendid pass for Robinson, who held off Jannik Vestergaard and fired beyond Forster in decisive fashion with 20 minutes to play.
Saints had the chance of a consolation in added time when Townsend brought down substitute Moussa Djenepo.
But Johnstone moved smartly to his right-hand side to keep out Ward-Prowse's fiercely struck penalty kick.
Scroll below to relive how all the action unfolded with Sportsmail's Danny Gallagher at the Hawthorns, as West Brom and Southampton battled for those vital points.
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Danny Gallagher Host commentator
And there we have it, a superb victory for the Baggies.
Now eight points from safety, but with huge momentum under their wings.
Allardyce's men bounce back and build on their Chelsea victory with another three points, but much still needs to be done in order to shore up safety. It's a huge ask.
As for Southampton, this was a night to forget. The journey back to the south coast isn't going to be the most enjoyable.
Thanks for your company this evening!
HUGE hands from Sam Johnstone, who springs like a cat over to his right to smash Ward-Prowse's effort away.
He's absolutely buzzing with that, and rightly so.
Bad evening all round for the Saints.
Hooper points to the spot and is in no doubt as Djenepo is felled.
Moments earlier Armstrong had gone over theatrically, but Djenepo picked the ball up and was past Townsend with a blur of stepovers.
The defender then hacked him down, showing very tired legs.
Ward-Prowse to take...
As Ward-Prowse curls in a sublime, teasing freekick from the right - but nobody is on the six-yard box to meet it.
Baggies now primed to see this huge win over the line.
It will be the first time this season they have recorded back-to-back victories.
Off goes a dejected Danny Ings and Nathan Tella takes his place.
Djenpo also comes on for Walker-Peters
Semi Ajay comes on for the final minutes as Kyle Bartley departs.
Maitland-Niles is fine to play on.
We have a stoppage here after Maitland-Niles landed awkwardly.
The stretcher is on, and it isn't looking too good.
Thankfully though after a bit of treatment he's able to shake himself down and walk off the pitch.
Che Adams shoots narrowly wide after working inside neatly from the right.
Diagne off, Hal Robson Kanu off.
Redmond still fancies it. He pings the ball from distance and it zips narrowly over the bar.
This is the issue with Southampton though, they can't get through the final line and are resorting for pot luck dips.
Off goes the goalscoring Robinson and on comes Sam Gallagher for the final 20 minutes or so.
It's that man again!
Fresh off the back of his Chelsea exploits, Callum Robinson is back at it again.
The Baggies have been more reserved in this half, but the tactics have worked astutely.
They sat off, let Southampton push deeper, before releasing Robinson on the counter.
A through-ball finds him and he rifles past Forster from a tight angle. Daylight for the hosts now.
West Brom 3-0 Southampton
Armstong pures a shot at goalkeeper Johnstone but it's easily held.
Southampton are getting up the field now but West Brom's defensive lines are sitting tight.
They need to do more, or else the visitors are going home empty-handed.
Sensational last-ditch challenge by Furlong to deny Redmond after he was flicked in - Bergkamp-esque - by Ings.
Had to be timed perfectly or else it's a pen.
Baggies straight back in the ascendancy but Saints are asking questions.
They've clearly been fired up at the interval with some select Hasenhuttl words.
Ward-Prowse sees his fizzing cross headed away by Furlong. Redmond tries to salvage but the hosts clear.
Well then, a high energy first 45 saw two goals produces from a few fizzing moments when the Baggies simply would not let their visitors settle.
This all came after they had what looked like a perfectly good goal RULED OUT by VAR - with controversial details emerging regarding the positioning of cameras.
Still, West Brom are great value for their lead and will feel like they can go on to see this one out.
A promising second 45 now beckons.
Into injury time now as James Ward-Prowse's corner is headed away by Kyle Bartley.
Inside the area Danny Ings goes down but Southampton play on, without realising.
The ref pulls back play. He looks like he will be fine to continue. Baggies set to take a healthy lead into the interval.
Hosts now holding the tempo while Southampton look rather rocked.
Maitland-Niles zips down the wing and tries to play in man of the moment Diagne, but the pass is intercepted.
Saints clear but it's not convincing.
When it rains, it pours! Baggies waste no time at all in doubling their lead as Matt Phillips smashes home Diagne's cross from the left.
Beautifully weighted and great technique to rifle it home.
Well, well, well - this is some effort from Allardyce's troops.
Just 179 seconds between the two goals! That is... well, simply mad.
Southampton, like they did last week against Burnley, find themselves 2-0 down again.
West Brom 2-0 Southampton
And now the breakthrough arrives!
That all happened in the blink of an eye, as the hosts were awarded a penalty after a quick breakaway, which Pereira promptly claimed.
He had been brought down by Forster after he feet proved too fast for the keeper to deal with.
He keeps his cool and slots home with aplomb, straight down the middle.
West Brom 1-0 Southampton
Baggies, or Brazil?
Lovely football from the hosts who pull a sublime one-touch sequence out of nowhere to work the ball up the field and into the area.
Pereira takes the final controlling touch and feeds in Mbaye Diagne, who quickly curls it wide of the right post - he should have scored!
Perhaps the most clear cut opportunity we've had so far. This match has plenty of energy, and could go either way.
Saints CHANCE!
Redmond scurries into the area and fires a low cross central, which causes waves of panic.
Armstong swings a leg out to get a shot off but somewhat scuffs it, before the ball falls to Danny Ings who can only flick to down the goal-line with the angle rapidly going against him.
Townsend clears, West Brom are fortunate.
Ok, so to keep you in the picture with this one, controversy is still raging wildly over the VAR call to scrub out Diagne's goal in the opening moments of the match.
Camera position is under scrutiny here and it is being reported that the VAR process has been impeded.
Because VAR was unable to get an angle that conclusively showed whether Diagne's upper body was onside or offside, the officials have stuck with the on-field decision which was to disallow the goal.
Of course, this could have massive repercussion for West Brom - they're fighting for their Premier League lives.
Another week where VAR sadly takes centre stage once again. Sigh.
Ok, so to keep you in the picture with this one, controversy is still raging wildly over the VAR call to scrub out Diagne's goal in the opening moments of the match.
Camera position is under scrutiny here and it is being reported that the VAR process has been impeded.
Because VAR was unable to get an angle that conclusively showed whether Diagne's upper body was onside or offside, the officials have stuck with the on-field decision which was to disallow the goal.
Of course, this could have massive repercussion for West Brom - they're fighting for their Premier League lives.
Another week where VAR sadly takes centre stage once again. Sigh.
Matheus Pereira up highest in the area to head the ball on target, but Fraser Forster is equal to it.
The big stopper in the Saints goal has had plenty to do so far...
Darnell Furlong glances an effort over the bar and not long after the hosts win a freekick.
It's taken quickly and fails to be fashioned into a real working opportunity.
Still, West Brom are building rapid momentum here.
The Baggies now asking all the question.
A good sequence of play sees the ball exchange wings, as Southampton become pressed back into their own half.
Okay Yokuslu works hard to win the ball back on the left after possession was surrendered before fizzing a cross in.
Townsend is there to meet it but can't control it as big Bednarek puts him under pressure. The ball flicks up and ricochets over the bar as a result, much to collective Southampton relief.
Impeccably observed prior to kick-off in the Midlands.
Lots of zip in this game, both teams definitely fancying it.
Saints trying to dominate possession now, but the hosts are giving little away.
Walker-Peters marauds down the flank menacingly and jinks inside Townsend, but instead of producing a cross he hammers the ball straight at the keeper.
Controversial decision.
It won't stand, but boy it was tight!
That would have been some start for Allardyce.
West Brom 0-0 Southampton
Wow, a hectic start.
Heavy Saints pressure from the off allowed the Baggies to capitalise once they finally got in some form of stride.
After Matt Phillips lashes a dangerous effort from distance following Bednarek's reckless squandering of possession, West Brom seize the initiative.
Darnell Furlong picks up the rebound and smashes it towards the far corner on the half volley. Mbaye Diagne taps it in from close range, but VAR is immediately all over it!
It's being examined for offside.
Referee Simon Hooper's whistle has blown and we're up and running at the Hawthorns!
Both sides look primed and ready and head down the tunnel now in order to get prepped for the match.
Kick-off just 15-minutes away now.
Tonight Hasenhuttl trusts exactly the same XI as the one that pulled off an emphatic 3-2 comeback victory over Burnley.
Twenty minutes to go until we're under way in the Midlands.
And this is how Allardyce views tonight's clash, and the players he's trusted to go out and get the job done.
Here's how Hasenhuttl is lining up his troops this evening.
Tough one to call indeed, but this is what the bookies are thinking...
The weather is looking up, the beer gardens are re-opening and Premier League football is on the agenda.
Happy days, right?
Tonight the Baggies have the huge task of proving their demolition of Chelsea wasn't just a one-off, while Southampton can make a nice jump up the table should they leave the Midlands with all three points.
Team news coming up in just a moment...
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