LONDON: West Brom were relegated from the Premier League on Tuesday after Southampton took a huge step towards keeping their place in the English top flight by beating fellow strugglers Swansea.
Darren Moore’s West Brom needed a draw between the Saints and Swans in south Wales to take their fight to avoid relegation into the final day of the season on Sunday.After more than 70 minutes of frenetic action, substitute Manolo Gabbiadini provided the decisive moment for Southampton when he reacted quickest to Charlie Austin’s parried shot in a crowded goalmouth. Gabbiadini had only been on the pitch for four minutes and it was only his fifth goal of a difficult season for the Italian. The result means Southampton move up to 16th in the table, three points clear of 18th-place Swansea, who are favourites to joint West Brom and Stoke in the Championship.
Southampton’s win confirmed West Brom’s return to the English second tier after eight seasons in the top flight, with an eighth-place finish the best the Baggies managed during the 2012/13 season with Steve Clarke in charge. West Brom’s season started well, with six points taken from a possible six after successive 1-0 wins at home to Bournemouth and away to Burnley.
However, after picking up just four points from a possible 30, Tony Pulis was sacked two days after losing 4-0 at home to Chelsea and was replaced by Gary Megson, who temporarily took charge of two games.
Alan Pardew was then named permanent manager but his arrival failed to deliver the improvement needed to guide the side away from relegation.Pardew, who led the Baggies to an FA Cup fourth-round victory at Liverpool, only had a 2-0 home win against Brighton to show for his efforts in the Premier League. Problems off the pitch added to the disappointment on it when a mid-season trip to Barcelona made the headlines for the wrong reasons.
Jonas Hofmann celebrates after scoring for Leverkusen. — Reuters/FileBERLIN: Bayer Leverkusen winger Jonas Hofmann...
Cameron Smith playing a shot. — AFP/FileBRISBANE: Major winner Cameron Smith and his former protege Elvis Smylie...
Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics brings the ball up court against the Washington Wizards during the second half at...
Patrick Reed of the US hits a tee shot on day one of the Hong Kong Open at Fanling golf club in Hong Kong on November...
England rugby coach Steve Borthwick. — AFP/fileLONDON: England know that even if they end a run of five straight...
US skier Mikaela Shiffrin in action. — AFP/filePARIS: Mikaela Shiffrin held her nerve to take a record-extending...