Odemwingie double does for sinning Saints

WEST BROMWICH (AFP) –

West Bromwich Albion‘s Nigerian forward Peter Odemwingie (L) celebrates with teammates Congolese defender Youssuf Mulumbu (C) and English defender Billy Jones after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton at The Hawthorns in West Bromwich. West Brom won 2-0.

Peter Odemwingie scored twice as surprise package West Bromwich Albion went fifth in the Premier League with a 2-0 win at home to Southampton on Monday.

Albion returned to winning ways in convincing fashion after two straight losses but this result left basement club Southampton rooted to the foot of the table with eight defeats from just their first 10 league games.

“This was a good response from a good team,” said Nigeria international Odemwingie. “We needed a bit of luck and it is simple, if you keep shooting you will score, we are happy with the three points.”

Southampton’s fifth successive away defeat can only increase the pressure on manager Nigel Adkins and the Saints boss had to endure mocking taunts of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” from the home supporters.

Odemwingie had enjoyed several chances opened the scoring in the 36th minute when his left-footed shot deflected off Maya Yoshida and went past Saints keeper Paulo Gazzaniga.

Southampton started the second half well with a shot on the turn from striker Rickie Lambert hitting the crossbar with Albion keeper Ben Foster beaten.

But Odemwingie doubled the Baggies lead after the hour when, having made good ground to outpace his marker, he headed in a superb cross from Shane Long.

“To bounce back from the last two difficult games where we lost like we did was superb and I felt we deserved the win,” said Foster.

“We have conceded some unlucky goals recently so it is great to get back to winning ways and also keep a clean sheet. It is a cliche but we are not getting carried away, we will take each game as it comes.”