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Southampton vs West Brom: A tactical and statistical review of Saints’ win

By Marc Walker

Southampton's Malian midfielder Moussa Djenepo (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and West Bromwich Albion at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on October 4, 2020. (Photo by MATTHEW CHILDS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MATTHEW CHILDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton's Malian midfielder Moussa Djenepo (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and West Bromwich Albion at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on October 4, 2020. (Photo by MATTHEW CHILDS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MATTHEW CHILDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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West Bromwich Albion’s English-born St Kitts and Nevis midfielder Romaine Sawyers (L)  (Photo by GLYN KIRK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
West Bromwich Albion’s English-born St Kitts and Nevis midfielder Romaine Sawyers (L)  (Photo by GLYN KIRK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Saints see off two conflicting styles in a week

A lot was made of the team display that Saints put in to claim a win at Burnley last weekend. A mixture of much-improved pressing and the winning of aerial duels were key to pick up a first three points in 2020/21.

West Brom provided a direct counter-attacking threat too but chose to play with the ball on the floor much more and Saints saw them off equally as convincingly.

Via whoscored, we can see that the Baggies played 59 long passes, with 46 classed as chipped or in the air.

Last Saturday, Burnley tried to hit striker Chris Wood whenever they could but were met by great defensive resilience from Jannik Vestergaard and Jan Bednarek. In all, Sean Dyche’s side hit 86 long passes and 84 that were off the ground.

Vestergaard and Bednarek were forced to win just five aerial duels versus West Brom when that number was 17 at Turf Moor (via whoscored.com).

Overall, this is very positive for Saints as it proves their ability to see of the threat of two entirely different teams. Add a little more brutality in attack and we will be watching a very good and exciting team.