QUICK-FIRE BERA HAS SAINTS ON THE SKIDS

SAIDO BERAHINO’S early goal sank Southampton as they blew a chance to climb back into the top four.

It took 72 seconds for Berahino to notch his 17th goal of the season as the Baggies made it just one defeat in 11 matches in all competitions under Tony Pulis.

The result moved them EIGHT points clear of the bottom three and safety looks guaranteed under miracle worker Pulis.

But it was another sobering afternoon for the Saints, who would have leapfrogged Arsenal into the Champions League positions.

Ronald Koeman’s team have won just ONE of their last five Premier League outings.

Front- foot football has been one of Albion’s hallmarks at home under Welshman Pulis, and their flying start was a case in point.

Chris Brunt’s hanging free- kick from the halfway line was only half cleared by Maya Yoshida – under pressure from Craig Dawson – and Berahino, 10 yards out, made Saints pay with an emphatic strike.

Denied

It was his first touch of the game. Craig Gardner was denied what looked a penalty when he crept into the Saints box unnoticed only to be dragged down by Jose Fonte just as he was about to pull the trigger.

Referee Phil Dowd failed to reappear after the interval due to a knee injury – his place taken by fourth official Graham Scott.

By the 55th minute, Berahino’s match had come to a premature end too as he hobbled off after picking up a knock to be replaced by Youssouf Mulumbu.

And the Baggies found themselves clinging on as Morgan Schneiderlin’s free- kick looped agonisingly wide of Ben Foster’s far post.

Graziano Pelle was guilty of missing a sitter in the 68th minute when he somehow failed to connect with Ryan Bertrand’s ball across the face of goal, a sliding Brunt doing superbly to clear the danger.