Pulis hails Robson-Kanu after West Brom victory
Tony Pulis believes Hal Robson-Kanu's thunderbolt winner at Southampton justified West Brom's "big risk" in signing the Wales forward in the summer.
Robson-Kanu's stunning strike sealed West Brom's 2-1 win at St Mary's on New Year's Eve - the 27-year-old firing his first Premier League goal in more than three years.
Former Reading forward Robson-Kanu helped Wales to the Euro 2016 semi-finals in the summer, though was without a club when the season started.
West Brom stepped in at the last minute to offer the London-born striker a route back to the top-flight, and he capped his first start for the Baggies with a sweetly-struck winner on Saturday.
"It was always a risk, it was a big risk for us to bring him in in the summer," said Baggies boss Pulis of Robson-Kanu, who started at Southampton ahead of seven-goal top-scorer Salomon Rondon.
"But he's been wonderful, as a back-up because that's what he's been.
"He's shown today he's kept his fitness levels well and his attitude is fabulous.
"Sometimes as a manager it drops for you and sometimes it doesn't.
"You leave yourself open for criticism if Hal hadn't scored and we'd lost the game. You toss a coin and it lands well for you, which I'm very pleased for."
Robson-Kanu hit seven Premier League goals with Reading in the 2012-13 campaign but spent the next three seasons in the Championship with the Royals.
Since joining West Brom, the Wales forward has made 13 substitute appearances but marked his first league start in style.
Shane Long put Saints ahead only for Matt Phillips to drill in the equaliser, before Robson-Kanu fired the thunderous winner just after half-time.
West Brom boss Pulis hailed Robson-Kanu for playing his back-up role with the ideal attitude, as his Baggies side leapfrogged Southampton into eighth place.
"It was a great goal, Hal played well and worked hard. His attitude has been fantastic," said Pulis.
"I keep telling people with these 25 man squads, it's the people outside the 11 that actually determine the spirit and togetherness in the dressing room.
"And he's been absolutely fantastic.
"His attitude round the club, his willingness to work and join in, even though he's only been almost a bit-part player, because of Salomon, has been fantastic.
"And I can't speak more highly of his character."
Claude Puel admitted his Southampton side shot themselves in the foot for dominating possession - but only producing one shot on target.
Asked if he felt angry and frustrated in defeat, Puel said: "It's all these feelings and more and I am disappointed for all the squad.
"We could do better with concentration when we conceded straight after scoring. It's our fault for this.
"It's a difficult moment for the squad and I think all the team know the situation of the season.
"Now it's important to keep our calm, have good spirit and a good reaction for the next game with strong character and the work is important to look after for the next game.
"It's a difficult moment for today, but I have confidence in all my players."