West Bromwich Albion boss Steve Clarke has said that Southampton's Luke Shaw went down 'cleverly' to win his side an 89th-minute penalty in their Premier League clash at The Hawthorns.
The match had been level at 0-0 with the final whistle approaching, when Shaw was tripped by Youssouf Mulumbu. Kevin Friend awarded a penalty to the away side, which Rickie Lambert dispatched in the bottom corner to give the Saints all three points.
"I thought it was very soft - clever play from the Southampton player but to make that call at that stage of the game was a big, big decision to make," the Baggies manager told reporters.
Despite the loss, Clarke said that there were many positives to take from the game, particularly in the second half.
"We were disappointed with our first half - certainly with our start to the game, Southampton started much better," he said. "They were on the front foot from the off and they pinned us back.
"At half time we readjusted a couple of things and, second half, I thought we were much better.
"As it petered out to a 0-0, which I think it was doing, if any team looked like nicking it I think it would have been us."
West Brom's next game sees them travel to Everton on Saturday.
Kristian Johnson
