Ryan: Saints save will stay with me

Maty Ryan says he will always remember his stunning save against Southampton, especially as it helped Albion pick up a point that went close to securing Premier League survival.

With the score at 1-1 against Southampton at St Mary’s on Thursday, Saints’ defender Jannik Vestergaard tried his luck from 30 yards and a fantastically struck effort was heading for the top right corner only for Ryan’s outstretched fingertips to tip in onto the post.

“That save will probably stay in the memory for a while,” said Ryan.

“I wasn’t happy that I spilled a cross late on, but I made a couple of good interventions so I am pleased that I could help the team.

“Ultimately that’s what I am trying to do – to contribute to the team and the success, to create some memories in doing so and helping us to get that point in the end.”

Ryan’s stunning stop came during a period when Albion were having to protect their point with some heroic defending.

Ryan added, “With how the second half went we were probably lucky to hold on with the chances they had. In the first half we created some decent half chances as well as the goal. But we failed to hit the target again and force [Southampton goalkeeper] Alex McCarthy into a save or ask him a real question.

“Respect to Southampton. They are a good side and we had to deal with everything they threw at us. I think that needs to be the benchmark with what we do defensively in our two remaining games. We’re not safe mathematically, but we’re a little step closer.”

Ryan admitted he slipped below his usual standards in the home defeat to Manchester City and was pleased to make amends.

“I could have done better in the second half with a couple of things [against Manchester City],” said Ryan.

“It’s been hurting this week off the back of that performance, but you’ve got to take those lessons and use it for motivation for the next game and that’s what I tried to do.”