Questions around Ryan Mason's role as Albion boss grew louder as a stirring second-half fightback was not enough to avoid defeat at Southampton.

Three first-half goals at St Mary's - two coming from last season's Hawthorns loan failure Adam Armstrong - looked to have put the contest to bed by half-time as Albion fell to a seventh straight away defeat in a rollercoaster 3-2 contest.

Mason's side added respectability to the scoreline and occasion in the second period through Karlan Grant's first of the season and Nat Phillips' header as the defender tried to atone for an early error.

In-form Southampton were on the ropes after cruising in the first half on the south coast but almost transpired to throw a 3-0 lead away as Albion scored three and denied another handful of openings.

The fee

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