Southampton have eased to a 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion to move into the top half of the Premier League table.

On a day which saw the Saints complete the signing of Charlie Austin, a double from James Ward-Prowse and a Dusan Tadic strike earned Ronald Koeman's men their second win in the space of three days.

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It took Southampton just five minutes to open the scoring at St Mary's, with Ward-Prowse netting his second league goal for the club with a 25-yard free kick that comfortably beat Boaz Myhill in the Baggies goal.

West Brom nearly hit back five minutes later through Craig Gardner, who sent a header wide of the post, before the midfielder directed a shot high over the crossbar as Southampton struggled to build on their early lead.

However, the Saints regained control as the half-hour mark approached, and shortly after Shane Long tested Myhill with a long-range strike, Ward-Prowse scored his second of the afternoon.

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After Craig Dawson was adjudged to have brought down Matt Targett, the England Under-21 international slotted past Myhill to give his side a commanding lead at half time.

Tony Pulis made two alterations at the break, with Chris Brunt and Salomon Rondon being introduced into the action, but West Brom still struggled to create a clear chance, with only Gardner and Stephane Sessegnon threatening to halve the deficit.

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Up the other end, Southampton could have put the result beyond doubt after Long played in Sadio Mane, but the attacker fired wide of the far post.

With 18 minutes to go, however, the three points were confirmed through substitute Tadic, who fired in from an acute angle after receiving a pass from Steven Davis.

That goal effectively ended the match as the contest and the Saints were able to coast through the closing stages to continue their revival in the top flight.