Nat Phillips atrocious, 8/10 bright spark – West Brom player ratings vs Southampton
West Brom were beaten 3-2 by a resurgent Southampton at St Mary’s, after almost completing a stunning second-half comeback.
The hosts raced into a 2-0 lead inside 17 minutes, with former winger Tom Fellows brilliantly assisting Leo Scienza, before another ex-Baggie, Adam Armstrong, slotted the ball past Joe Wildsmith after dispossessing Nat Phillips.
Armstrong then piled more misery on Mason, who is the favourite to be sacked in the Championship, after sliding his shot into the bottom left corner.
But a rare solid performer on the night, Karlan Grant, gave his side a rare glimmer of hope straight after half-time with a left-footed pile driver.
West Brom then continued to push for a comeback, and when Phillips scored from a corner with four minutes left, Mason’s men threatened to do the unthinkable.
Unfortunately, an excellent second-half display saw the visitors lose by one-goal, and it was a mixed night for one player.
Nat Phillips has a nightmare vs Southampton
When West Brom signed Nat Phillips from Liverpool in the summer, supporters were excited to see him in action after watching him impress at Derby County.
But Phillips has struggled at West Brom and made some shocking mistakes, including one against Swansea City in a 3-2 win, and his poor form continued on Tuesday night.
The 28-year-old was sloppy in defence and was at fault for Armstrong’s goals after being dispossessed deep into his own half.
It was a costly error from the Englishman, as it put the hosts 2-0 ahead and almost derailed any hopes of a comeback. However, it was Phillips who scored Albion’s second of the night as they nearly came back from 3-0 down.
Karlan Grant impressed on a tough night
On a night of rare positives for the Baggies, Grant could hold his head high with his performance down the left flank, carrying his team’s threat in attack.
Grant put multiple teasing crosses into the corridor of uncertainty and was unfortunate not to grab an assist, with the 28-year-old left undoubtedly frustrated in the first half.
However, his persistence in attack paid off, as the Englishman fired a wonderful left-footed pile driver past Bazunu to give his side a glimmer of hope.
It’s crazy to think that his strike against Southampton was his first of the season, as he played like a man possessed at St Mary’s and cemented his place on the left flank.
West Brom player ratings
Joe Wildsmith – 4
Krystian Bielik – 5
Chris Mepham – 4
Nat Phillips – 3
Callum Styles – 6
Ousmane Diakite – 5
Alex Mowatt – 5
Samuel Iling-Junior – 6
Isaac Price – 6
Karlan Grant – 8
Aune Heggebo – 5
Substitutes:
Jayson Molumby – 5
Mikey Johnston – 7
Daryl Dike – N/A
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