West Brom boss laments over 0-2 deficit to Southampton
West Bromwich Albion boss, Slaven Bilic, said his players “have to learn” but that the Premier League “is not a school” after their disappointing start to the season continued with defeat at Southampton.
Moussa Djenepo opened the scoring with a clinical finish for the hosts before Oriol Romeu’s stunning strike sealed a deserved win.
The loss means West Brom have managed to pick up just one point from their first four games on their return to the top flight.
Asked whether it was a tough learning experience coming up from the Championship, Bilic said: “You have to learn, but this is not a school.
“You have to be competitive and do your best. We have to do more and show more determination and show a better mentality than we have shown.
“Southampton were better in everything. I know the guys want it but there has to be so much more determination and desire.”
The Saints had lost their first two league fixtures of the season but have now recorded back-to-back league wins with this result.
Djenepo’s opener just before half-time, a clinical finish into the bottom corner, was just reward for an excellent first-half display in which only a string of fine saves by Sam Johnstone prevented Southampton from taking the lead earlier.
Johnstone kept out Ryan Bertrand’s curling effort before reacting quickly to prevent Semi Ajayi from diverting the ball into his own net and then stopped Che Adams from pouncing with the follow-up.
The Manchester United academy product dived at full stretch to deny Danny Ings’ header but could do nothing about Djenepo’s smart finish.
West Brom were marginally better after the break but still did not trouble Alex McCarthy enough in the Southampton goal.
The hosts made sure of the points when Romeu superbly volleyed in Stuart Armstrong’s cross for his first goal in 20 months.
Southampton moved up to 10th before the rest of Sunday’s matches, while West Brom are 17th after collecting just one point from their first four games.
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Southampton have finally started to get into gear after a slow start to the season and six points from their last two games will send them into the international break on a high before returning to action with two tough fixtures against Chelsea and in-form Everton.
This win will have been a relief in more ways than one for Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl as he finally saw players other than Ings score.
Southampton have been far too reliant on the former Liverpool striker to come up with the goods, with their three goals in the Premier League prior to Sunday all scored by Ings.