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West Bromwich - Rickie Lambert followed up his winning goal for England by scoring a last-minute penalty as Southampton started the new English Premiership season with a 1-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion.
It seemed Saturday's match at the Hawthorns was heading for a goalless draw when Southampton were awarded a spot-kick after left-back Luke Shaw was brought down in the box by West Brom's Youssouf Mulumbu.
From the resulting penalty Lambert, who marked his England debut by scoring the winner in a 3-2 friendly win over Scotland on Wednesday just four minutes after coming on a second-half substitute at Wembley, slotted the ball low into the corner to give the south coast side all three points.
Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez had earlier hit the crossbar in a game of few chances, with West Brom's best opportunity coming when midfielder Graham Dorrans struck a 25-yard free-kick narrowly over the bar.
But it was a youthful Southampton side who nearly opened the scoring when, after Shaw forced a corner with a good cross, fellow 18-year-old James Ward-Prowse's long-range shot was palmed away by West Brom and England goalkeeper Ben Foster.
Southampton thought they had taken the lead not long afterwards when, following Lambert's header from Callum Chambers - making his first Saints start - Adam Lallana poked the ball in the far post only for the linesman to raise his flag.
As the match remained goalless, West Brom manager Steve Clarke took off one striker signed in pre-season in Nicolas Anelka and send another on in Matej Vydra, only for Lambert to score the lone goal of the match.
However, Southampton had goalkeeper Artur Boruc for preserving their lead late on as the Poland international got down low to keep out Billy Jones's header in the closing seconds.
It seemed Saturday's match at the Hawthorns was heading for a goalless draw when Southampton were awarded a spot-kick after left-back Luke Shaw was brought down in the box by West Brom's Youssouf Mulumbu.
From the resulting penalty Lambert, who marked his England debut by scoring the winner in a 3-2 friendly win over Scotland on Wednesday just four minutes after coming on a second-half substitute at Wembley, slotted the ball low into the corner to give the south coast side all three points.
Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez had earlier hit the crossbar in a game of few chances, with West Brom's best opportunity coming when midfielder Graham Dorrans struck a 25-yard free-kick narrowly over the bar.
But it was a youthful Southampton side who nearly opened the scoring when, after Shaw forced a corner with a good cross, fellow 18-year-old James Ward-Prowse's long-range shot was palmed away by West Brom and England goalkeeper Ben Foster.
Southampton thought they had taken the lead not long afterwards when, following Lambert's header from Callum Chambers - making his first Saints start - Adam Lallana poked the ball in the far post only for the linesman to raise his flag.
As the match remained goalless, West Brom manager Steve Clarke took off one striker signed in pre-season in Nicolas Anelka and send another on in Matej Vydra, only for Lambert to score the lone goal of the match.
However, Southampton had goalkeeper Artur Boruc for preserving their lead late on as the Poland international got down low to keep out Billy Jones's header in the closing seconds.
