More misery for Pardew and West Brom as Southampton prevail in the FA Cup
A miserable week for West Bromwich Albion and manager Alan Pardew was completed yesterday as they were knocked out of the FA Cup at the fifthround stage by Premier League relegation rivals Southampton.
West Brom’s week began with the sacking of chairman John Williams and chief executive Martin Goodman on Tuesday.
That was followed by the club, who are bottom of the Premier League, finding itself front- and back-page news in English newspapers heading into yesterday’s match after allegations that senior players Jonny Evans, Gareth Barry, Jake Livermore and Boaz Myhill had stolen a taxi during the training camp in Barcelona this week and were interviewed by police over the incident.
Two of the dubbed “taxi four” started against Southampton, with Evans and Barry named in the team, although Evans appeared to have been stripped of the captaincy as Gareth McAuley led the side.
Goals from Wesley Hoedt and Dusan Tadic put Southampton in charge of the tie, and although Soloman Rondon pulled a goal back it was not enough to prevent West Brom being eliminated from the competition.
“I didn’t think we were great in the first half after a week of not what you would have really wished, but we pushed Southampton in the second half,” Pardew told the BBC.
“Then we get a great goal and there was a grandstand finish. But it defines our season, we know what to do now.”
Of coping with the off-field drama following the incident in Barcelona, Pardew added: “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.”
Pardew, who has been in charge at West Brom since taking over from Tony Pulis in October, denied he was worried about his job security and was instead focused on trying to pick up three points from their next league game at home to Huddersfield Town next Saturday.
“It’s not a decision for me,” he said. We have to show our loyalty this week and get a result in the league.”
Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino said: “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.”
Elsewhere yesterday, Brighton and Hove Albion reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in 32 years as they defeated League Two side Coventry City 3-1 with Jurgen Locadia, Connor Goldson and Leonardo Ulloa all on the scoresheet for the Premier League side.
“We’ve been the underdog a few times and I think Coventry should be proud of themselves, they had a good go,” Goldson, the central defender, told the BBC.
“We’ll now take it game by game and see how far we go in the FA Cup.”
Swansea City played out a goalless draw in their tie with Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, with a replay at the Liberty Stadium to take place next month.