Southampton got their season off to a winning start thanks to Rickie Lambert's 89th-minute penalty at West Bromwich Albion this afternoon.

The Saints were on top for much of the game but did not look like they would break through until Youssouf Mulumbu tripped Luke Shaw and Lambert stepped up for his second match-winner of the week.

Here, Sports Mole casts its eye over a game of few chances at The Hawthorns.

Match statistics:

West Bromwich Albion:
Shots 11
On target 1
Possession 47%
Corners 4
Fouls 15

Southampton:
Shots 8
On target 3
Possession 53%
Corners 8
Fouls 25

Was the result fair?

In a word, yes. The Saints were on top of possession throughout the 90 minutes and looked the more dangerous of two disappointingly limp sides on the opening day. Southampton wanted to win it more than West Brom and manager Steve Clarke may pencil in extra sessions on the training ground to sort his boys out.

West Brom's performance

Defensively, the partnership of Gareth McAuley and Jonas Olsson in the middle stifled Lambert for much of the game but at times they could not handle the pace of his strike partner Jay Rodriguez. The midfield were outclassed by their Southampton counterparts, while Nicolas Anelka and Shane Long offered very little up top.

Southampton's performance

Manager Pochettino will have his eyes on a top-half finish this year and today's performance suggests that his side are capable of achieving that. All areas of the park delivered for him, with new signings Dejan Lovren and Victor Wanyama composed, while teenage right-back Calum Chambers also looked assured on his senior debut. Wanyama's partnership with last season's player of year - Morgan Schneiderlein - could see many teams have a torrid time finding space in the middle this term.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Luke Shaw: The left-back turned 18 only recently but he put in such a mature performance today, especially going forward. It was his foray into the box that won the penalty, so although Lambert will make the headlines for winning the match for Southampton today as well as England on Wednesday, it was Shaw's nimbleness that sealed victory.

Biggest gaffe

Could go to Mulumbu for his thoughtless trip on Shaw but we are going to give it to Baggies keeper Ben Foster for allowing a backpass to slip through his control and almost into the net. He will have been so relieved when he saw it trickling past the post.

Referee performance

Kevin Friend made the right call for the penalty. Mulumbu's challenge was clumsy and left Friend with little choice. Friend also booked four West Brom players justifiably.

What next?

West Brom: The Baggies will look to kickstart their season when they travel to Everton in a week's time.

Southampton Next up for the Saints is a visit from Sunderland.