Premier League
Southampton 1-3 West Ham United 

Saturday, 4th February 2017
by Staff Writer

West Ham are back in the upper half of the Premier League table tonight after winning a third away game in four at St Mary's this afternoon.

Following the recent successes at Swansea and Middlesbrough, the Hammers continued their run of free-scoring away from the Olympic Stadium as they hit the hosts with a treble assault.

Ye they had to come from behind in order to take all three points after new signing Manolo Gabbiadini - himself strongly linked with a move to West Ham in the past - gave the hosts a 12th-minute lead after surprising Darren Randolph at his near post.




However it was a lead that was to last for less than two minutes, as Andy Carroll converted Pedro Obiang's brilliantly-executed slide-rule pass to bring the Hammers back on level terms.

And in the final minute of normal time in the first half it was the defensive midfielder himself who put West Ham in front for the first time in the game with a perfectly-placed, long-range drive that left Saints 'keeper Fraser Forster clutching at thin air.




Southampton, offering the Hammers the freedom of St Mary's - in much the same way as West Ham did against Manchester City in midweek - always looked likely to concede again, hence it was no surprise when Mark Noble added a third just seven minutes after the restart.

Awarded a free kick in the type of area that used to have Hammers fans reaching for their cellphones, Noble stepped up confidently to blast his effort straight at goal - and into the net, via a slight - but important - deflection via defender Stephen Davis.




Thereafter the Saints enjoyed plenty of chances - a total of 21 shots in all, compared to West Ham's meagre tally of six - but rarely tested Randolph, who was forced to act far too rarely given the circumstances (crucially, only seven efforts were on target, including Gabbiadini's opening goal).

The win lifts West Ham back up to ninth place in the Premier League. Next up for Slaven and the boys are West Bromwich Albion, who visit the OS next Saturday.

Want to submit your match reports to KUMB.com? More details here ...

 Click to view all West Ham United vs Southampton match reports

 Click to view all match reports by Staff Writer

Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.



Player Ratings

Darren Randolph
Didn't get close to a single one of City's four strikes. Apart from picking the ball out of his net several times, he had few saves of note to make.


Sam Byram
Another harsh lesson for Byram; the hope is that these experiences will serve him well in the long run.


Aaron Cresswell
On a downward spiral since being selected for England and given a torris time again tonight.


Winston Reid
Gave his all, came up short against a very good side.


Jose Fonte
If you search for 'baptism of fire' on the web, don't be surprised to find a reference to Fonte's debut.


Pedro Obiang
All over the shop tonight. Hopefullt just a blip following some very decent showings of late.


Michail Antonio
The one player likely to light up the OS on an otherwise dull and dreary night.


Mark Noble
Anonymous, spent much of the night chasing shadows.


Andy Carroll
Huffed and puffed and threw himself around with wild abandon as per, but came up against not only a very good opponent but one of those referees who has no time for physical forwards (see Carlton Cole).


Manuel Lanzini
Bar one chance in the first half, he was invisible.


Sofiane Feghouli
His night was summed up by the one chance he had to deliver a probing cross - which he shinned straight out for a goal kick instead. Woeful, offered nothing.



Substitutes

Edimilson Fernandes
(Replaced Feghouli) Tasked with rescuing a sunken ship.


Robert Snodgrass
(Replaced Obiang) The scond debutant of the evening, Snodgrass gave glimpses of what he could potentially offer.


Ashley Fletcher
(Replaced Carroll) Tasked with rescuing a sunken ship.


Adrian San Miguel Del Castillo
Did not play.


James Collins
Did not play.


Domingos Quina
Did not play.


Jonathan Calleri
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Darren Randolph, Sam Byram, Aaron Cresswell, Winston Reid, Jose Fonte, Pedro Obiang, Michail Antonio, Mark Noble, Andy Carroll, Manuel Lanzini, Sofiane Feghouli.

Goals: None.

Booked: Pedro Obiang  Manuel Lanzini  Andy Carroll       .

Sent Off: None sent off.     .

Southampton: Forster, Cedric, Stephens, Yoshida, Bertrand, Romeu, Boufal (Long 64), Davis ©, Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez (Redmond 46), Gabbiadini.

Subs not used: Taylor, Clasie, Gardos, Hojbjerg, McQueen.

Goals: Gabbiadini 12.

Booked: .

Sent off: None.

Referee: Graham Scott.

Attendance: 31,896.

Man of the Match: Michail Antonio.