West Brom 0-0 Southampton: Championship play-off semi-final in the balance after goalless first leg draw as both sides miss chances – setting up winner takes all clash at St Mary’s

Russell Martin goes into Friday’s play-off decider against West Bromwich Albion knowing defeat could hasten the end of his time as Southampton manager.

Saints will believe they can get the job done in front of their own fans and clinch their place in the Final at Wembley – where the winner will claim not only promotion but an estimated £200 million windfall for a season in the Premier League.

But if West Brom triumph at St Mary’s on Friday, Martin will have failed in his only job: taking Southampton back to the top immediately. Clubs that benefit from parachute payments are under greater pressure to deliver results and if their managers cannot cope, their position immediately becomes shakier.

Thanks largely to goalkeepers Alex McCarthy and Alex Palmer, the scoreline remained blank here, as in the earlier match between Norwich and Leeds – the first time in thirteen years this has happened in the Championship play-offs.

For American owner Shilen Patel, West Brom competed well against a team who finished twelve points above them in the regular season and will certainly not be discouraged by the outcome.

As always, the DJ had turned the volume up to 11 before the match and in the early stages it looked like West Brom would follow suit.

Carlos Corberan’s men flew out of the blocks and forced three early corners, although they were unable to create a clear chance despite asserting themselves so impressively.

Southampton gradually found their footing and could have taken the lead in the 15th minute. Joe Aribo found Kyle Walker-Peters on the right, and his angled effort clipped Conor Townsend and almost crept in at the far post.

Moments later, Aribo was involved again, playing a return pass that Flynn Downes passed through to Alex Palmer. The Albion goalkeeper saved with his feet and although the ball went to Adam Armstrong, Saints’ number 9 failed to direct his volley on target.

Shortly after a drinks break due to the 23 degree temperature, Sekou Mara’s overhead kick flew just high and wide before the home side were desperately close to taking the lead.

Tom Fellow had been threatening down the right and the winger’s tempting cross was met by Grady Diangana’s downward header.

Alex McCarthy just managed to keep the ball out and was relieved to see Jack Stephens put the ball behind for a corner.

Walker-Peters had now become a target for the home fans as they made the most of tough challenges from Townsend and Mikey Johnston, although Saints were unable to capitalize on either free-kick.

Downes was fluid in midfield and after breaking away from oke Yokuslu, Darnell Furlong produced an excellent block to prevent Aribo’s sharp shot from testing Palmer.

Moments after being shown a yellow card, Johnston created one of the best chances of the match when he raced away on the left and his cross was sent fractionally wide by Furlong.

With 12 minutes to go, Saints needed McCarthy to save them after Fellows surged past the two and beat Diangana, who saw his effort stopped from an ideal position.

And moments later the visitors came even closer when substitute Ross Stewart’s strike cut off Kyle Bartley but was somehow diverted off goal by Palmer.

Although the goalkeeper was off balance, he still managed to remove the danger with his right foot.

That caused a delay as Corberan made four substitutions in one go, although Saints were unable to capitalize on the confusion and their corner was easily claimed by Palmer.

Albion shouted for a penalty when Diangana nutmegged Ryan Fraser and appeared to be stopped, but referee Samuel Barrott gave the Saints substitution the benefit of the doubt and the visitors survived.