Don Goodman blasts Townsend as West Brom win 3-0 v Southampton
Don Goodman slammed Conor Townsend for conceding a late penalty as West Brom beat Southampton at The Hawthorns on Monday night.
Moussa Djenepo was brought down inside the Albion penalty area in stoppage time and handed Southampton the chance to earn themselves a late consolation.
Luckily for Townsend, Sam Johnstone saved James Ward-Prowse’s penalty kick to ensure the Baggies kept a clean sheet in a 3-0 win.
Ex-West Brom forward Goodman was less than impressed by Townsend and claims there could have been an earlier penalty for the Saints.
Speaking on Sky Sports Main Event on Monday night, Goodmsn said: “There could have been a challenge earlier that may have been a penalty as [Stuart] Armstrong nips in, there’s a little bit of contact from [Semi] Ajayi but that wasn’t given.
“Moussa Djenepo… It’s clumsy, isn’t it? Really clumsy defending from Conor Townsend. It’s a little lunge at the ball and doesn’t get anywhere near it as Djenepo gets his body across.”
Let off for Townsend
Since winning promotion to the Premier League, not many players have performed above and beyond expectations like Townsend.
The former Scunthorpe ace started last season as Slaven Bilic’s third-choice left-back being Kieran Gibbs and Nathan Ferguson but he’s now a starting left-back in the Premier League – and playing really well.
He’s had some barnstorming performances for the Albion and he played great on Monday night versus Southampton if you don’t include the penalty he conceded.
But one player who has gone above and beyond this season is goalkeeper Johnstone, who produced a fine save to deny Ward-Prowse’s penalty and spare Townsend’s blushes.
West Brom’s defensive work has been so good since around February when Sam Allardyce’s winter signings got settled and his system was fully formed.
If only they had sacked Bilic sooner and hired Big Sam, eh?
In other West Brom news, this 45-year-old is favourite to be the next Baggies manager.
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