1-0: Stern John unleashes a right-foot shot to put Saints in front against Westm Brom.
YOU have to take your hat off to George Burley - he's not afraid to make big decisions and he produces some good football teams.
The Saints boss came into this game under a bit of pressure.
Not really from those above him but from the supporters who have been expressing some concern over the inconsistency of his team this season.
Of course, though many of the problems have been individual errors on the pitch, as the manager Burley ultimately carries the can for the team he sends out.
That's the way football is, always has been and always will be.
You won't hear him complain about it or the right for those who pay their money to have their say.
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Often when the pressure is on you see managers start to name sides to try and avoid any criticism.
They will shy away from too many changes and will not make a brave decision to change things around for fear of the backlash they personally will receive if it goes wrong.
You certainly could not accuse Burley of being one of those.
Many believed Inigo Idiakez would not start another game for Saints, that perhaps after a very good career his legs had gone.
But not Burley who decided to start with him against West Brom, a massive game for Saints, in place of local hero Andrew Surman.
The logic was that playing Idiakez in the centre of midfield would free Jhon Viafara to go out wide with Nathan Dyer on the other wing to keep West Brom's adventurous full- backs manfully employed in the backwards direction.
It worked a treat - but, make no mistake, it was a brave decision.
If it would have backfired, if Saints were to have lost, the next two weeks would have been very uncomfortable.
It has been the inconsistency of not only results but performances that has put Burley and his side under pressure.
After the 5-1 defeat at Preston, patience was starting to wear a little thin.
Going into an international break on the back of another loss would have seen a fortnight of recriminations.
But a win, and in such a brilliant game of football as this, leaves everybody on a high to enjoy a rare weekend off.
Also encouraging for the Saints fans to see was the physical effort put in by the team.
Great result for Saints from a terrific game of football. Both sides were committed to attacking and playing some very attractive stuff. Both midfields were simply exceptional. Important result for Saints who now need to find some extra consistency.
Adam Leitch
They were so determined to go out and get a result and were obviously playing for their manager as well as themselves and the supporters.
There were a string of exceptional individual performances in a breathless game.
Great credit must go to Tony Mowbray's West Brom side too for playing their part in one of the best games staged at St Mary's.
Both sides wanted to get the ball down and pass it, play at a high tempo, attack at every given opportunity and score goals.
It was not a game for the defensive purists, but one for the football purists.
The first chance took 17 minutes to come about and fell to Saints, Idiakez lobbing the ball through to Stern John who volleyed a low shot home from 12 yards to give Saints the lead.
Things got even better six minutes later when Rudi Skacel, excellent on his return to left-back, drilled in an unstoppable shot across Dean Kiely and into the far side of the net from 20 yards.
West Brom got a goal back on 32 minutes when Saints gave Chris Brunt time to deliver a cross from the right wing. It wasn't cleared at the near post and Robert Koren stole in to drive it home from close range.
Dyer, exceptional on the left, almost restored Saints' two-goal lead with a lovely chipped shot from the edge of the area just before the break but saw his effort rebound off the bar.
The second half was full of chances for both sides but there were two decisive moments that settled the scoreline.
West Brom pegged it back to 2-2 on 62 minutes when Koren was able to shrug off the attentions of Wayne Thomas and slide the ball under the advancing Kelvin Davis.
But Saints turned the tables on what has happened to them in recent weeks and hit back themselves just two minutes later.
The Baggies failed to clear a near post Idiakez corner and John backheeled home at the far post.
After that, there was a disallowed goal for Saints, penalty shouts for West Brom and more great football.
Both sides deserve great credit for a cracking game.
George Burley deserves credit for a cracking result.
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