YOU'D HAVE NEEDED the concentration of a chess grand master to focus on Saturday's game against West Brom and not let your mind drift to the FA Cup.

In fact, Kylie Minogue and Justin Timberlake dancing naked in the centre circle might have gone unnoticed by those dreaming of Cup success against Wolves on Sunday and a possible appearance in the showpiece final.

So, for Saints to come out with a win was a very good result.

After the game, it almost felt as if Gordon Strachan's men had lost with the way everybody was moping about.

But, while it wasn't the greatest performance of the season by a long chalk, it was still a win and got Saints back on track in the league.

And even I would have taken my eyes off Kylie to watch James Beattie's stunning goal - though I would have looked back quickly.

Beattie's strike - his 19th of the season - came after just seven minutes.

West Brom's defenders stood with their arms in the air as Paul Telfer picked up the ball on the left touchline and crossed for Brett Ormerod.

He chested it back to Beattie who lashed a 30-yard shot with the outside of his right boot which moved all over the place in the air and left Russell Hoult unable to do anything other than watch it fly in.

It was truly awesome, a work of art.

Saints went on to dominate for the first 25 minutes but an injury to Anders Svensson and a change of tactics from the Baggies - switching from a 3-5-2 to a 4-4-2 - saw them come more into the match.

But throughout the entire game they failed to make Antti Niemi produce a single stop and, despite a couple of late scares, Saints were worthy winners.

Baggies boss Gary Megson commented: "I didn't really have any complaints about the goal. It was right in front of me and on the line.

"It was then a schoolboy error from our players to just stop dead.

"It's much easier to throw your arm up than defend properly.

"We wasted the first 45 minutes of the match, in the second half we got after it a bit and Southampton looked noway near the team they had out in the first half.

"It's difficult to say we should have got something when you don't turn up for the first 45 minutes - if we would have played the entire game the way we played the second half then maybe."

For Saints, Brett Ormerod could have had a couple and saw one ruled out by the ref, Fabrice Fernandes' shot was tipped onto the bar and later wasted a glorious chance when deciding to shoot rather than pull the ball back, Claus Lundekvam made a right mess when he found himself free eight yards out while Matt Oakley and David Prutton also tested Hoult.

The list of West Brom chances is considerably shorter.

Ronnie Wallwork blasted over, Jason Koumas' free kick was just inches away from a goal, Lee Hughes had penalty claims turned down while Danny Dichio stuck out a leg instinctively with two minutes left and watched the ball dribble just wide of Niemi's goal.

But, after four defeats in their last five Premiership games, Saints weren't to be denied the three points.

West Brom gave it everything they had but just weren't good enough when it came to the crunch.

The win was not only important for the league season but also in preparation for the Cup - in particular Wayne Bridge getting 90 minutes under his belt.

Now it really is time to concentrate on the Cup, no matter what Kylie might be doing.