Express & Star

Carlos Corberan's feelings on "equal" West Brom and Southampton play-off draw and 'emotional' atmosphere

Satisfied Albion boss Carlos Corberan felt a draw was the right outcome in the play-off semi-final first leg against Southampton – and labelled the atmosphere the best of his career as head coach.

Plus
Published
Carlos Corberan drills his Albion side from the touchline during the Championship play-off semi-final first leg that ended in a stalemate. Pic: PA

There was nothing to separate the Baggies and the Saints, who will go at it to find a winner in Friday night's second leg at St Mary's for a place at Wembley.

The sides shared two or three goalscoring opportunities on a baking day at The Hawthorns, where the backdrop and occasion was a highlight for the Baggies boss.

Grady Diangana forced saves from Alex McCarthy with a first-half header and tame second-half strike, while Darnell Furlong prodded just wide. Home goalkeeper Alex Palmer saved from Flynn Downes and impressively kept out substitute Ross Stewart's deflected effort.

Corberan said: "Very equal, very balanced, a very tough game, as you can expect when we are fighting with four teams to go to the Premier League – the best league in the world, you can only expect tough and difficult challenges. The key is you need to enjoy beating the difficulty and challenge.