James Ward-Prowse scores twice as Southampton beat West Brom 3-0 at St Mary's

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New signing Charlie Austin watched on from the stands as Ward-Prowse doubled his total Saints tally with a curling free kick and a penalty in the first half, with Dusan Tadic later coming off the bench to add another for the second time in just a matter of days.

The victory over the Baggies meant it was six points collected in the space of four days at St Mary’s, with Saints having also defeated Watford, and lifted them into the top half of the table.

Saints got off to the perfect start as they took the lead after just five minutes.

It came from a set-piece, and a wonderful finish from James Ward-Prowse.

He stepped up and opted to shoot from a position about 20 yards out to the left of the area.

Boaz Myhill had lined up his wall to try and cover the ear post but Ward-Prowse whipped a superb right footed free kick over the wall with bend and curl and dip.

The Baggies keeper couldn’t get back across goal quickly enough to make the save as the ball went in at the near post.

West Brom really should have equalised five minutes later as James McClean whipped in a cross from the left that perfectly picked out the run of Craig Gardner but he put a free header from eight yards wide.

Gardner had another go on 22 minutes, hitting a first time half volley from just outside the area but this one went well over the bar.

He had great appeals for a penalty waved away by referee Martin Atkinson five minutes later.

Gardner was chasing a loose ball and was clearly caught by Ward-Prowse’s attempted clearance. The Saints man missed the ball but kicked Gardner in the hip right on the edge of the area but Atkinson wasn’t interested.

It was West Brom’s turn to get a lucky break moments later as Ward-Prowse’s corner was fumbled by Myhill but landed right by one of his teammates who was able to clear the danger.

Though both teams had plenty of men behind the ball, it was opening up more than many predicted. Shane Long burst forward on the break and took on a shot from 25 yards that was well struck but straight down the middle.

West Brom felt even more aggrieved over their penalty denial as Saints were awarded a spot kick.

Matt Targett broke into the area, chasing a superb pass from Long, and had a tangle of legs with Craig Dawson which brought him down.

Atkinson had no hesitation in giving the penalty and on 35 minutes Ward-Prowse saw Myhill dive early to his left and coolly slid it into the opposite corner.

It was so nearly game over just a minute later as Targett fired a low shot across goal which beat Myhill but was cleared off the line by a dramatic sliding block from McClean.

West Brom made a double substitution at the break to try and turn things in their favour with Chris Brunt and Salomon Rondon replacing Darren Fletcher and Jonas Olsson.

The Baggies started positively but didn’t look much like breaking down a resolute Saints defence, who looked so strong with three centre halves.

Stephane Sessegnon tried to make something happen but slashed a shot from the edge of the area well off target.

Saints were controlling the game and looked totally dominant but just needed one more goal to feel really comfortable.

They almost got it on 59 minutes as Long brought down a direct ball and managed to produce an excellent pass into the path of Sadio Mane.

His first touch took him a little wide out to the right but he had the time to get away a low shot that went across goal but wide of the far post.

Saints made their first chance on 63 minutes with Dusan Tadic coming on for Mane while West Brom bought on Saido Berahino for Sessegnon. That was the final switch for the Baggies and meant there was to be no St Mary’s return for Rickie Lambert.

Victor Anichebe threatened for West Brom with a control on the chest and volley from the edge of the area but he couldn’t quite direct it on target.

Saints got the goal they had deserved to effectively seal the three points on 72 minutes.

Long produced an outrageous backheel on the halfway line that found Steven Davis.

He pressed forward and played a reverse ball into the left side of the penalty area which found Tadic. The Serbian pivoted and fired a first time left footed shot across goal and into the far corner.

Saints responded by bringing on Oriol Romeu for Davis moments later. They followed that up with a final change with six minutes remaining with Cuco Martina replacing Cedric Soares.

The fourth official held up the board to show three minutes of injury time but the emptying stands were a good indication that the result was already sewn up with Saints giving themselves a chance to look onwards and upwards with another three points in the bag.