Rickie Lambert's penalty was enough for Southampton
In a disappointing match which looked destined for a draw, a clumsy challenge from West Brom midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu on Saints defender Luke Shaw proved costly.
Lambert stepped up to smash the resulting spot-kick into the back of the net and secure his side's first three points of the season at the first time of asking.
New signing Victor Wanyama was superb in the Saints midfield nullifying the Baggies attacking threat and looking well worth the £12.5m the club paid Celtic for him in the summer.
Southampton's Adam Lallana shakes off the attentions of West Brom's Claudio Yacob
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But in a first-half that was devoid of any real chances, the game burst into life just after the half-hour mark when Adam Lallana's strike was ruled out for offside.
Southampton again came closest after the break, as Jay Rodriguez saw his superb right-foot effort clip the top of the crossbar.
But with the game seemingly petering out for a draw, England's hero against Scotland in midweek popped up to continue his fantastic start to the new season.
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