West Brom 0-2 Southampton FC: Daily Echo's player ratings

Ryan Fraser and David Brooks netted as Russell Martin’s side returned to second, a point ahead of Leeds, in the race for an instant return to the Premier League.

Stuart Armstrong was Martin's main creative force at The Hawthorns on another good night for his substitutions. 

Here is how we rated all of the players involved... 

West Brom 0-2 Southampton (Image: PA)

Gavin Bazunu - 7. 

Was only required to make one save all evening - but what a save it was. In the right position to make a flying one-handed save after going 2-0 up. One loose pass earlier in the game almost gifted West Brom an opener. 

Kyle Walker-Peters - 8. 

Good performance from the expansive defender. Playing as a wingback in possession with Stephens making it a back three. Often the conduit between the back and front with a quick drive up the pitch.  

Taylor Harwood-Bellis - 9. 

Excellent alongside Bednarek for a 10th clean sheet of the season. Bailed out Bazunu for his loose pass with some big but untidy defending under pressure. Consistently headed away anything that came into the box and was Southampton's highest-ranked player for passes completed. 

Jan Bednarek - 9. 

Also bailed out Bazunu as above with the final conclusive tackle. Ranked highest in both squads for expected assists. Consistently headed away anything that came into the box and was Southampton's second-highest-ranked player for passes completed. 

Jack Stephens - 8. 

Playing left of the defence, in effectively a three in possession. Was caught behind a few times in succession just before halftime. Cleared one off the line in that spell - and was lucky perhaps not to concede a penalty for handball. Other than that, good performance from the skipper. 

Will Smallbone - 8. 

Playing at the base of the midfield again despite the inclusion of Charles. Neat and tidy throughout and always in space to receive. Booked for stopping a counter-attack. Perhaps could have done a bit more to stop the cross which saw Bazunu produce his save. 

Shea Charles - 7. 

Will be happy with his improved performance after Bristol City. Regularly covered the space behind Walker-Peters in a tactical tweak by Martin. Was his short corner to Armstrong for the opener, although the real quality was in the cross. Subbed after 58 minutes. 

Stuart Armstrong - 9.

Really exceptional cross for Fraser's opening goal and involved in the second too. A big sliding block in the box while Saints were under pressure. Was named man of the match by the broadcaster in the stadium - most supporters agree. Credited with the creation of five chances. 

Adam Armstrong - 6. 

Hit a big chance straight at the keeper in the opening stages of the match. Fired wide with a well-taken snapshot a bit later on. Few games in a row now that he hasn't taken his chances. Good work rate and defensive involvements before being subbed at 68'. 

Ryan Fraser - 8. 

Made the volleyed finish look easy for Southampton's opening goal - his sixth of the Championship season. Covered a lot of ground to help Stephens out. Subbed after 58 mins. Would be very surprised if he is not here next season. 

Sekou Mara - 8. 

Good performance from the start for the Frenchman, although he did not really find the chances to mark it with a goal. Some good hold-up play in the absence of Che Adams, even if the quality was not always there. Physically strong and important to the performance. 

West Brom 0-2 Southampton (Image: PA)

Substitutes 

Sam Edozie - 8. 

On at 58'. Vital to the second goal and it was a lovely pick-out to find Brooks across the box. Can consider himself unlucky not to start but perhaps Fraser's reliability going both ways was needed with Stephens on the left.

Joe Aribo - 8. 

On at 58'. Key to wrestling back total control and seeing out the match for all three points. Showed good strength to open the space for Southampton's second goal, scored by Brooks, after it was his drive that created the chance in the first place. 

David Brooks - 8. 

On at 68'. A fantastic touch to beat his man and power in the second goal just five minutes after coming off the bench. Missed a chance to slip in Edozie as Saints countered again but that did not matter. 

Kamaldeen Sulemana - 7. 

On at 82'. Came on and played in the nine position. Helped slow the game down in possession with Saints already leading by two. Only had eight touches but was perfect with them, registering a 100 per cent pass success rate. 

Joe Rothwell - 7.

On at 82'. Same as Kamaldeen, did not really put a foot wrong in possession with eight passes out of eight made. Difficult to make any bigger impact with Saints coasting.