Ajayi makes cameo appearance as West Brom thrash Southampton

SUPER Eagles defender Semi Ajayi was on for the last five minutes of regulation time on Monday night to help West Brom maintain their 3-0 win over Southampton at the Hawthorns.

The Nigerian international replaced Kyle Bartley in the 85th minute and almost gave away a penalty when a Southampton attacker went down under his challenge.

The move still ended in a penalty after another Southampton player was brought down seconds later by another defender.

West Brom preserved their clean sheet though, goalkeeper Sam Johnstone saving James Ward-Prowse’s penalty in the fourth minute of injury time.

Before Ajayi’s arrival, West Brom had made sure of the points with three unreplied goals in their quest to escape relegation.

Matheus Pereira gave Sam Allardyce’s  side the lead after 32 minutes, the Brazilian stepping up to score from the penalty spot after he had been brought down in the Southampton box.

West Brom were 2-0 up three minutes later through a fine Matt Phillips strike.

Callum Robinson bagged the third goal in the 69th minute for his third goal in two games.

Ajayi has played 25 Premier League games for West Brom this season, although he has appeared in only two of the last five.

With the three points, 19th-placed West Brom moved to within two points of Fulham, but still eight points off safety.