We are gutted we could not win it for Cyrille, says captain Mcauley
It had started with emotional tributes to Cyrille Regis, The Hawthorns so proud of the man and the memories, but a big dipper of an afternoon ended on a cruel low point with Southampton fighting their way back for a rare vic- tory that left Albion stranded at the foot of the table.
“It’s an emotional time for everyone at the club, Cyrille was a huge figure around the place,’’ said Albion captain Gareth Mcauley. ‘‘He always spoke to the players when he was here and it is gutting to stand here having lost on the day we celebrated his life and everything he did for football.
“I don’t know what to say except we’re gutted for Cyrille’s family and everyone connected with him because, on such an occasion as this, we all wanted to win it for him today.”
The heartfelt speeches, evocative video tributes and passionate one-minute applause completed, Albion were on course to deliver their own final salute to the trailblazing striker who died last month when Ahmed Hegazi gave them an early lead.
It was to be, however, a limp surrender as Southampton ended a run of 12 league games without a win with three goals spanning 15 minutes across half-time.
Mario Lemina’s thumping finish, a clever looped header from Jack Stephens and an expertly executed free-kick by James Ward-prowse gave Southampton such control that they were able to ride out Salomon Rondon’s reply without any undue concern.
It left Albion four points adrift at the foot of the table, with a visit to Chelsea next up. “We’re going to need guts, determination, bravery, everything that makes you a professional footballer – and we need to drag that out of the group in the coming weeks,” Mcauley said.
It was a sweet moment for Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino, who had endured chants for his sacking from visiting fans before Lemina turned the game his way. ‘‘We needed this victory, for many reasons, but the most important one is to believe what we can do on the pitch,’’ said Pellegrino.
“It is a moment to enjoy and feel happy about ourselves. We are not out of it but it will be easier now,” Southampton midfielder Oriol Romeu said.
While new striker Guido Carrillo, a £19.2 million signing from Monaco, may take time to adjust to Premier League demands, there were notable performances elsewhere.
Stephens and Wesley Hoedt recovered from a shaky start to grow more dominant as the game progressed while Lemina and Romeu won the key midfield battles.