Southampton will likely be the happier of the two teams as they leave West Brom with a 0-0 draw going into the home leg of the play-off semi-finals on Friday.
The game was a close fought encounter typical of a first-leg, with neither side wanting to throw too much caution to the wind in fear of being caught out defensively.
Adam Armstrong arguably had Southampton‘s best chance on the day but fluffed his lines from his volley after Flynn Downes had seen his strike saved.
There were a number of decent performances, but ex-Southampton midfielder Jo Tessem believed one player in particular stood out.
Jo Tessem praises ‘superb’ Jan Bednarek for West Brom performance
Tessem was co-commentating alongside Adam Blackmore as part of BBC Radio Solent‘s coverage of the game.
Southampton worked hard for their clean sheet, facing a number of set-pieces and long throws but dealt with everything that was thrown at them whilst only giving up one really good chance.
That chance fell to Grady Diangana, whose close-range header was well saved by Alex McCarthy.
Around 15 minutes into the second-half, Tessem identified Jan Bednarek as the main reason that Southampton would secure the clean sheet that they eventually did, as he said: “Jan Bednarek has stood out to me in this game for his defensive contribution today.”
“He has been superb, if Saints come away with the clean sheet then a lot of that has to go down to his performance.”
Bednarek handled Brandon Thomas-Asante threat
The Polish central defender was tasked with operating at the centre of the back three that manager Russell Martin opted to continue using after the success at Leeds United.
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Bednarek looked calm and composed as he was very tidy in possession but made some crucial defensive interventions too, particularly from a flurry of late corners.
He was tasked with marking the physical, if not prolific, Brandon Thomas-Asante and matched him for power whilst not allowing the striker to disrupt his passing from the back.
All in all, Bednarek was one of a number of good Southampton performers in what was a job well done away from home.
Martin’s side defended well collectively as well as individually as they made sure their opponents were not able to gather up a head of steam in front of a lively home support.
Now, the Saints are surely favourites as they play out the second leg in front of a packed St Mary’s on Friday.