SAINTS forward Adam Armstrong scored his ninth of the season to give his side a 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion.

The St Mary's outfit took an early lead through Will Smallbone but a sustained period of pressure from the visitors saw Kyle Bartley equalise.

West Brom looked the more likely to push on but Armstrong was there at the back-post to finish and see Saints go eight matches unbeaten with a win. 

Gavin Bazunu - 7. 

Comfortable and confident on the ball, aside from one first-half lapse. Quick off his line. Could not do anything about West Brom equaliser. Great save with his face in added time to keep Saints ahead.

Kyle Walker-Peters - 6.

Made a number of dangerous incisions beyond the Albion lines. Struggled to prevent the West Brom crosses into the area. 

Mason Holgate - 7. 

Rash start but grew into the game. No-nonsense and cynical at times, solid and not spectacular. Was awarded man of the match in the stadium. Box came under pressure in closing stages.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis - 7. 

Good command of his box aerially and vocally during the first half and impressive passing range. Ball into his zone for the West Brom headed-equaliser. Box came under pressure in the closing stages.

James Bree - 7. 

Bailed Saints out towards the end of the first half showing his strength to shield in the area as Albion capitalised on a mistake in possession. No obvious faults with his performance. 

Flynn Downes - 7. 

Regularly in the right place to break up Baggies counters. Booked for a wild recovery tackle when he lost control as Saints tried to play themselves out of trouble at the back. Replaced by Charles with around 25 minutes still to play. 

Will Smallbone - 8.

Opened the scoring from close range, just about getting it over the line. Won all of his duels and regularly in shooting positions, albeit wasteful with later attempts. Forced off through injury after 53 minutes but good outing for him. 

Stuart Armstrong - 7.

Pulled the ball into a really dangerous area for the opener. Otherwise, a quieter game than usual. Only 80 per cent pass success lower than his standard. Did full 90 minutes. 

Adam Armstrong - 7. 

His effort fell to Smallbone for the opener. Mostly absent until popping up with the winner and his ninth of the season. Makes the moments that matter.

Kamaldeen Sulemana - 6. 

Looked to temp Albion defenders into breaking rank but was unsuccessful, and created a couole chances for his teammates. Feels harsh to give him another low rating but hard to say he had any real big impact on the game.

Charly Alcaraz - 7. 

Quality in possession is obvious from the outset, despite not hitting the end product we became accustomed to in the Premier League. Broke through three Albion players to counter in the closing stages before being booked for 'diving'. 

Substitutes 

Ryan Fraser - 7. 

Came on for around 40 minutes on this occasion, more than his usual impact cameo. His delivery went through to Arma for the winning goal.

Che Adams - 6. 

Absent after coming on. With Stewart's introduction, might find a place hard to come by.

Shea Charles - 6. 

Introduced to steady the ship in midfield - most of the onslaught was from the wide areas rather than through Southampton's middle. 

Ryan Manning - 6.

Part of the build up for Armstrong's winner with a simple pass to Fraser. No obvious errors aside from one blazed-over free-kick. 

Ross Stewart - 6.

Not expected to do much and didn't. Played out on the right and looked lean and ready, kept possession well on a couple of occasions. More to come.