Sub’s slalom-run strike is a stunner
find it because this one — a 70-metre run, which left five West Brom players in his wake — was an absolute treat.
“It’s very special and the win is the important thing,” said Boufal.
He joined Saints for £16.8million in August 2016 and had managed just one start and four substitute appearances this season.
“I scored one better in France, but I’m so happy after I passed a long, difficult time here.
“I showed the manager I can play in this team.”
Whether one moment of magic will be enough to convince Pellegrino to give Boufal more opportunities remains to be seen, but he was certainly pleased with his latest contribution.
“I’m happy with the goal and the performance,” said Pellegrino. “It was a reaction and I’m challenging him to be in the XI, but I’m happy with the goal.
“It was one of the most beautiful goals of the season and, hopefully, we can score more goals like this.”
Pellegrino’s side had huffed and puffed for 80 minutes in their bid to break the deadlock before Boufal’s arrival.
And he took on the challenge of singlehandedly settling this game, picking up the ball midway into his own half, beating five men then tucking a delightful finish past Ben Foster.
And how merited it was – because only one of these sides had really looked like they wanted to win.
West Brom came to keep things tight for an hour and have a go late on, although they might even have gone home with all three points had Jay Rodriguez, the former Saints player, not skewed horribly wide when oneon-one with Fraser Forster. Baggies boss Tony Pulis said: “We had the best chance of the game with Jay, but it didn’t go for the kid. “If we’d scored, we most probably would have won the game. But then Boufal goes on and he scores a special goal. “There are two challenges along the way I’m not very happy with. “But it was a bit of magic. I’ve seen a lot of him – he can drift in and out, but, when he gets the ball, you just don’t know what he’s going to do.” Forster 6, Cedric 6, Yoshida 7, Van Dijk 7, Bertrand 6, Long 6 (Austin 80), Lamina 6, Romeu 7 (Redmond 68, 6), Davis 7, Tadic 8 (Boufal 80), Gabbiadini 7. Subs not used: McCarthy, Hoedt, WardProwse, McQueen.
Foster 7, Dawson 6, Evans 6 (Nyom 31, 6), Hegazi 6, Gibbs 6, Rodriguez 5, Livermore 6, Barry 7 (McCauley 52, 6), Chadli 6 (Phillips 76, 6), Krychowiak 6, Rondon 5. Subs not used: Myhill, Yacob, Brunt, McClean. REFEREE: Graham Scott 7.
■■West Brom are without a win in their last seven Premier League games (D4 L3), and have enjoyed just two victories in their last 18 in the competition. ■■Of Premier League fixtures played at least 15 times, games between these two sides have averaged just 1.47 goals per game (22 goals in 15 games), fewer than any other clash.