Southampton 3-1 West Brom LIVE RESULT: Pitch invasion mars big Championship play-off win – updates

Southampton 0-0 West Brom (Agg: 0-0)

24. We're now more than midway through the first half, and Southampton have had more than 60% of the football.

There have been plenty of passes too (182) although perhaps not as many that had the Old Skool from The Dell tearing their hair out at the start of the season.

Southampton 0-0 West Brom (Agg: 0-0)

22. Now momentum shifts back the other way.

The visitors win a corner on the left which prompts Alex Mowatt to make his way across.

His first delivery is measured and perfect for the rise of Kyle Bartley, whose header is blocked.

The ball makes its way to back to Mowatt, who this time smashes a hopeful blast into the box - it rockets on to the legs of Jan Bednarek, and flies inches wide of the post.

Southampton 0-0 West Brom (Agg: 0-0)

20. Saints start to force the issue once more, and win a couple of corners in quick successio.

But Albion are playing very well out of possession, and - for the most part - are keeping the home side at arm's length.

Southampton 0-0 West Brom (Agg: 0-0)

18. An overhit cross almost catches McCarthy out in the Southampton goal, forcing the keeper to tip desperately over the crossbar.

Albion try to work their first corner cleverly, but Smallbone gets a foot in and it sets Brooks off on a 50-yard run with five opponents in pursuit.

The Welshman does brilliantly to hold off their attention, and then when support arrives in the form of Armstrong, Brooks thumps a shot into a defender.

Southampton 0-0 West Brom (Agg: 0-0)

16. Brooks goes close!

Saints open up their opponents on the right flank with Armstrong getting all the way to the byline.

The striker cuts back in hope more than expectation, and arriving at pace is Brooks at the near post to turn first time on to the outside of the goal frame.

Southampton 0-0 West Brom (Agg: 0-0)

14. On the touchline, Russell Martin still complaining about the challenge on Brooks.

I'm sure once the Norfolk Cafu watches this one back, he'll see that there isn't a case for the officials to answer.

Southampton 0-0 West Brom (Agg: 0-0)

12. Southampton are screaming for a penalty!

Conor Townsend gets the wrong side of David Brooks, and then makes a further mistake in allowing the ball to bounce.

Arms are tangling all over the shop, and there could be a legitimate case if wasn't for the diving swan act that follows from the Welsh forward.

Referee Tim Robinson isn't convinced at all, and nor is EFL old timer Keith Stroud as fourth official.

Southampton 0-0 West Brom (Agg: 0-0)

10. Albion's Alex Palmer takes an over-confident, heavy touch when brought into the game, and it almost - almost - presents an opportunity for Adam Armstrong to steal in.

The goalkeeper will have to do better from now on if he wants to register another cleano tonight.

Southampton 0-0 West Brom (Agg: 0-0)

8. Rishi Sunak is in attendance at St Mary's this evening.

Which may explain the booing.

Southampton 0-0 West Brom (Agg: 0-0)

6. Albion take charge of the ball for a prolonged spell, albeit one where they were work a dangerous opening with Wallace on the right all the way back to their own centre-backs in their own half.

It's a pattern of play played out to a soundtrack of booing, presumably from the Southampton fans unhappy with the opposition taking control rather than the travelling supporters bemoaning a chance missed to GET IT IN THE MIXER.

Southampton 0-0 West Brom (Agg: 0-0)

4. Albion have started a little bit slower, a little more sluggishly than their opponents.

And they will know all too well after watching Norwich last night, that could prove so costly.

Southampton 0-0 West Brom (Agg: 0-0)

2. Southampton continue on the front foot with Walker-Peters combining with Aribo to progress into the box.

The subsequent and speculative shot from the full-back is blocked by Bartley.

Kick-off: Southampton 0-0 West Brom (Agg: 0-0)

1. Referee Tim Robinson blows his whistle - once so that the Albion players can take the knee, and then a second so the same side can start this second leg.

And straight from the off, Flynn Downes sets about the Baggies, winning the ball back from Okay Yokuslu and winning a free-kick.

Here come the two teams!

There's a big noise inside St Mary's. A big, BIG noise.

Just like Elland Road last night, this stadium is packed out and passionate as it awaits the imminent start of a Championship play-off semi-final.

There was little to excite or ignite in the first leg, but - through the smoke, through the flares - is this a tie that is ready for fireworks?

It's time to find out, and kick-off comes next.

Albion wary of coast curse

If West Bromwich Albion fans were worried about their away form coming into this play-off semi-final, then they better look away now as we examine the head-to-head record at Southampton.

West Bromwich Albion have only won two of their last 27 away trips to St Mary's, and the Dell before it - finding themselves on the losing side of events 17 times.

West Brom's visits to Southampton in all competitions since 1971:

• Played: 27
• Won: 2
• Drawn: 8
• Lost: 17

St Mary's red-dy with anticipation

The atmosphere inside St Mary's is building up rapidly...

...and it's pretty lively outside the stadium too.

Adam so Arm-strong at St Mary's

Adam Armstrong plays through the middle for Russell Martin's Southampton tonight, hoping he can sign off on a fine season by doing what he does best: exciting the home fans with his attacking play.

Armstrong was involved in more Championship goals in home games than any other player in 2023-24, scoring 12 goals in front of his own supporters and laying on another eight for teammates.

And that impressive tally includes the winner in this exact fixture when these sides met at St. Mary’s back in November.

Albion aiming to arrest away day blues

West Bromwich Albion arrive on the south coast this evening with a challenging - but not impossible - task.

However, Carlos Corberan's side will have to halt their recent woes on the road if they are to emerge victorious at St Mary's.

Only the relegated trio of Huddersfield (1), Birmingham (1) and Rotherham (0) won fewer Championship away games in 2024 than the Baggies (2).

Wallace starts for West Brom

It's just the one change for Baggies boss Carlos Corberan, who brings back in the experienced Jed Wallace to operate as a false nine.

The former Millwall man takes over from Brandon Thomas-Asante, who led the line last Sunday, and will look to the likes of Mikey Johnston and Grady Diangana to provide attacking support.

Wallace also has the armband, and is one of seven players in this Albion starting line-up that are English.

West Brom (4-2-3-1): 24 Palmer; 2 Furlong, 5 Bartley, 4 Kipre, 3 Townsend; 35 Yokuslu, 27 Mowatt; 31 Fellows, 11 Diangana, 23 Johnston; 7 Wallace

Subs: 33 Griffiths, 6 Ajayi, 10 Phillips, 14 Chalobah, 17 Weimann, 19 Swift, 20 Reach, 21 Thomas-Asante, 22 M'Vila

Brooks and Fraser in for hosts

Russell Martin makes two changes with his Saints sides on the own patch, and tweaks the shape so his side can attack from the off.

Out go Ryan Manning and Sekou Mara with the return of some attacking flair in David Brooks and Ryan Fraser.

The Saints are expected to start with a back four, within which Jack Stephens captains the side.

Southampton (4-3-3): 1 McCarthy; 2 Walker-Peters, 21 Harwood-Bells, 35 Bednarek, 5 Stephen; 16 Smallbone, 4 Downes, 7 Aribo; 36 Brooks, 9 Armstrong, 26 Fraser

Subs: 13 Lumley, 3 Manning, 11 Stewart, 14 Bree, 18 Mara, 19 Rothwell, 20 Sulemana, 23 Edozie, 24 Charles

Saints faves for Wembley march

These sides may have been inseparable at the Hawthorns five days ago, but the bookies are backing Southampton to see off the Baggies on home soil.

Russell Martin's outfit are odds-on at 4/6 to win the second leg inside 90 minutes, and even shorter to reach the final via any means - be it extra time or penalties.

To win in 90 mins:

• Southampton win 4/6
• Draw 27/10
• West Brom win 4/1

To qualify for the final:

• Southampton to qualify 1/3
• West Brom to qualify 9/4

correct at time of post publication.

Good evening from St Mary's

Welcome to live coverage of the Championship play-off semi-final, second leg between Southampton and West Bromwich Albion.

There was nothing between these former Premier League forces five days ago so now it's all focus on the return meeting down south to see who will set up a date with Leeds.

Both the Saints and the Baggies know that they are potentially 90 minutes from Wembley, and 180 from completing the journey back to the top-flight.

Southampton were the superior side during the regulation season, beating Albion twice and finishing 12 points ahead of their opponents - but the goalless draw in the first leg means that there is nothing between the pair as they prepare for the biggest night of the season.

It's an 8pm kick-off at St Mary's, and here comes the team news.