Southampton and West Bromwich in a tense play-off semi-final showdown
- The first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final between West Bromwich and Southampton ended in a goalless draw.
- Both teams are gearing up for a decisive showdown in the second leg to secure a spot in the final.
- Southampton manager Russell Martin is under pressure as defeat could potentially mark the end of his tenure.
Saints are confident they can win in front of their fans and secure a spot in the Final at Wembley. The winner will not only get promoted but also receive around £200 million for playing in the Premier League. If West Brom wins at St Mary's, Martin will have failed to bring Southampton back to the top flight right away. Clubs with parachute payments are under more pressure to succeed. If their managers can't handle it, their job security becomes shaky. The game ended in a draw, thanks to goalkeepers Alex McCarthy and Alex Palmer. This was the first time in 13 years that a Championship play-off match ended goalless. West Brom played well against a team that finished 12 points ahead of them in the regular season. They will be pleased with the result. The match was intense with both teams creating chances. However, neither team could score a goal. The game remained goalless until the end. The match was closely contested, but lacked the high drama usually seen in playoff semi-finals.