Boufal’s beauty leaves Pulis fearing drop

AGAINST a goal-shy Southampton side who had only won one of their last 10 Premier League games at St Mary’s, Tony Pulis missed a trick. West Bromwich played as if they wanted to try to avoid being beaten rather than register a win. The Baggies have now won just twice in their last 18 League games. It is relegation form. ‘It looks as if it is going to be as tough a Premier League as we’ve had for years,’ Pulis admitted. ‘Sometimes you get something where you’re not expecting it. I’ve been at this football club and gone to Manchester United and won there, so we will take every game as it comes.’ Southampton left it late but manager Mauricio Pellegrino felt this win was deserved after their positive play. It took a late moment of brilliance from Sofiane Boufal. The £16million club-record signing sprinted 70 yards and beat five West Brom players to score in the 85th minute. The 24-year-old substitute then ran to Pellegrino and screamed at his manager, in apparent protest at his lack of starts. Pellegrino simply said that it was ‘beautiful’. SOUTHAMPTON (4-1-3-2): Forster 6; Cedric 6, Yoshida 6.5, Van Dijk 6, Bertrand 6; Romeu 6 (Redmond 69min, 6); Lemina 6, TADIC 7 (Boufal 81), Davis 6; Long 6.5 (Austin 81), Gabbiadini 6.5. Subs not used: McCarthy, Hoedt, Ward-Prowse, McQueen. Scorer: Boufal 85. Manager: Mauricio Pellegrino 6.5. WEST BROMWICH ALBION (4-5-1): Foster 6; Dawson 6, Hegazi 6, Evans 6 (Nyom 32, 5), Gibbs 5.5; Rodriguez 5, Livermore 6, Krychowiak 6, Barry 5.5 (McAuley 53, 6), Chadli 5.5 (Phillips 77); Rondon 5.5. Subs not used: Myhill, Yacob, Brunt, McClean. Booked: Chadli. Manager: Tony Pulis 5. Referee: Graham Scott 6. Attendance: 29,947.