West Ham United welcomed Southampton to the Olympic Stadium on Sunday looking to record just their second Premier League win of the season.
It was Southampton that entered the half-time break with the lead, however, courtesy of a close-range finish from Charlie Austin five minutes before the interval.
The visitors then had their second in the 62nd minute through Dusan Tadic, before James Ward-Prowse made it 3-0 late on as West Ham remained in the relegation zone after a poor start to the season.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from the Olympic Stadium as West Ham United welcome Southampton in what is a key match for both teams. The Hammers have made a rotten start to the new league season, while Southampton have also struggled for results – collecting just five points from five matches this term. Let's hope for an entertaining clash this afternoon!
This afternoon will be the 167th meeting between these two teams in all competitions. It is West Ham that lead the head-to-head 73 wins to Southampton's 47, while there have also been 46 draws. It is actually a rivalry that dates back to 1899, when Southampton recorded a 3-1 win at home to West Ham in the Southern League First Division. Ah yes, I remember it very well indeed.
In terms of the recent meetings between the pair, Southampton recorded a 1-0 victory when they last clashed at St Mary's in the league, but West Ham recorded a 2-1 win on home soil last term. Southampton have actually only won one of their last five away league matches with the Hammers – suffering three defeats in the process. What's more, the London club have only failed to score in one of their 14 home Premier League games with Southampton. Hopefully some goals today then.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the English capital. Both teams were in League Cup action during the week and I can confirm that wholesale changes have been made. Let's take a look at the two XIs that will start this Premier League clash...
TEAMS!
WEST HAM: Adrian; Nordtveit, Reid, Ogbonna, Arbeloa; Antonio, Kouyate, Noble, Lanzini, Payet; Zaza
SAINTS: Forster; Cedric, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Romeu, Hojbjerg, Davis; Tadic, Austin, Redmond
The big news in the West Ham team is that Alvaro Arbeloa will make his Premier League debut for the Hammers. The experienced Spaniard will start at left-back, with Havard Nordveit once again operating on the right side of defence. Michail Antonio and Dimitri Payet continue in the wide positions, while Manuel Lanzini will once again supplement lone striker Simone Zaza in the final third.
As for Southampton, head coach Claude Puel has made two changes to the team that started last weekend's Premier League clash with Swansea City. It is the same back five, but there is a change in midfield as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg replaces Jordy Clasie. Meanwhile Charlie Austin's winner against the Swans sees the Englishman take the place of Shane Long in the final third of the field.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild but pleasant afternoon in Stratford. I shall talk about Southampton a little bit later, but let's start with West Ham, who have lost four of their five Premier League games this season. We are still very early in the campaign, but this is a massive, massive match for Slaven Bilic's team.
The Hammers will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 win over Accrington Stanley in the League Cup, but they needed a late free kick from Dimitri Payet to overcome the stern visitors. It was far from convincing once again, although it was important to return to winning ways. The league, however, remains the priority and they really need to put three points on the board this afternoon.
The capital side opened their Premier League campaign with a narrow 2-1 defeat at Chelsea on August 15, before drawing 1-1 with Astra in the first leg of their Europa League playoff. Then came a 1-0 win over Bournemouth in the league, before incredibly being knocked out of the Europa League by Astra, who won 1-0 at the Olympic Stadium to shock the Hammers and indeed the whole of Europe.
Bilic's side were then beaten 3-2 at Manchester City on August 28, before losing 4-2 at home to Watford after the international break. They also conceded four in the league last weekend as they suffered a 4-2 defeat at West Bromwich Albion to leave them in 18th position in the table. However, as mentioned, they won 1-0 at home to Accrington in the League Cup on Wednesday night.
West Ham have not lost four straight Premier League matches since April 2014 and it is the first time under Bilic that they have lost three in a row. Contract talks have reportedly been placed on hold as the Croatian looks to lead the club out of this difficult period. Off the pitch, it is all pretty rosy financially, but things are not the same on the field after a poor start to the campaign.
In terms of what is ahead for the Hammers, they will host Middlesbrough next weekend, before travelling to Crystal Palace and welcoming Sunderland. Then comes their League Cup fourth-round match at home to Chelsea, meaning that four of the club's next five matches are on home soil.
As for Southampton, they opened their Premier League campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Watford, before losing 2-0 at Manchester United on August 19. They could only manage a 1-1 draw with Sunderland on August 27 as they went three games without a win and that became four when they lost 2-1 at Arsenal after the international break courtesy of a dodgy late spot kick.
It was absolutely vital that the Saints put a victory on the board at home to Swansea City last weekend and that was indeed the case as they recorded a 1-0 win, which was then followed by a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the League Cup on Wednesday night. Claude Puel's side also recorded a 3-0 win at home to Sparta Prague in their opening Europa League group match on September 15, meaning that they have won their last three games in all competitions.
It is a busy few weeks for the Saints as they travel to Hapoel Be'er Sheva for their second Europa League group match on Thursday, before visiting the champions Leicester City in the league next weekend. Then comes a home game against Burnley, before travelling to Inter Milan in the Europa League and visiting Manchester City in the league. In total, they will play six games in October, including a League Cup match at home to Sunderland. Puel's squad will be tested over the next month!
Since returning to the Premier League for the 2012-13 season, Southampton have finished 14th, eighth, seventh and sixth in the top flight. Their performance has been even more incredible when considering their loss of players and indeed managers, and it does appear that they will struggle to replicate their success this season. It will be very interesting to see how Puel balances his squad this term.
TEAMS!
WEST HAM: Adrian; Nordtveit, Reid, Ogbonna, Arbeloa; Antonio, Kouyate, Noble, Lanzini, Payet; Zaza
SAINTS: Forster; Cedric, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Romeu, Hojbjerg, Davis; Tadic, Austin, Redmond
KICKOFF! Southampton kick things off at the Olympic Stadium...
... very good atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon. The home supporters want and indeed expect a performance from their team. Southampton, however, will have other ideas. You just get the feeling that the first goal here - if there indeed is one - could be vital in terms of the final result.
Redmond almost gets on the end of a through ball from Davis as Southampton threaten, but Ogbonna just comes across to block the Saints attacker and Adrian can collect. It is still bizarre being in this stadium for a West Ham home game. It almost feels like an FA Cup final. Half-chance for the Hammers as Zaza chests a long ball before firing towards goal, but his effort is wide.
West Ham have a penalty shout as Cedric dangles a leg towards Lanzini, but the referee is not interested and in truth, it would have been very soft indeed. The home supporters continue their raise the volume inside the stadium and the Hammers are the team pressing forward at the moment.
West Ham might well have to be patient this afternoon, but Southampton have so much pace on the counter-attack and you sense that could be a big problem as the game progresses in London.
Half-chance for Southampton as Hojbjerg finds all sorts of space inside the West Ham box, but Ogbonna is on hand to make the block. Should have done much better from that position!
BOOKING! Romeu (Southampton) is booked for a foul on Lanzini.
Antonio prods wide of the post from distance as West Ham have another half-chance here.
Possession football from the home side as they attempt to work the ball into the final third and there is panic inside the Southampton box when Arbeloa delivers a deep cross towards Antonio.
No real chances for either side in the opening 14 minutes of this match, but both teams have shown that they are more than willing to commit players in the final third of the field. You just get the feeling that West Ham need to score the first goal. The crowd are very excitable at the moment.
Southampton have the chance to threaten from a free kick inside the West Ham half, but Davis delivers straight into the arms of Adrian, who was under little pressure. Poor from Davis there.
Another penalty shout for the home side as Zaza goes down inside the box under pressure from Cedric, but the referee is not interested. Clumsy from Cedric again, but it would have been soft.
Southampton are currently enjoying a decent spell of possession as they force West Ham to retreat, but the visitors are not really challenging the West Ham defence. Bertrand has the chance to deliver a low cross from the left, but Reid does well to sort out his feet and clear to Kouyate.
For the first time this afternoon, the atmosphere has dropped inside the stadium. That is exactly what Southampton boss Puel would have had in mind. Still goalless and still little happening in either final third. The late challenges continue to arrive, however, and Redmond is fortunate to escape a card.
The last team to stop West Ham scoring in the Premier League was Southampton back in February and the Hammers are really struggling to break through this Saints back-line, which has been impressive in the opening 24 minutes of this match. Still waiting for the first real chance of this one.
Big cheer from the home supporters as Zaza wins a free kick following a tussle with Romeu, who needs to be very careful having picked up an early booking. Bit far out for Payet. Maybe...
... Payet instead delivers into the Saints box and Fonte makes the clearance.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining here and we are still waiting for the first real chance. Austin has been very quiet for Southampton in the final third, but the service into the big striker has been very disappointing indeed. The quality on display, from both teams, has not been great.
It is all too careful and considered from both teams at the moment, which is not creating a great match. Southampton are looking to pass their way through the West Ham midfield, but the final ball has been disappointing. That said, the visitors will be pretty content while the score remains goalless.
No real pattern to West Ham's play at the moment as Southampton remain comfortable. The ball is worked into Lanzini, who delivers, but his cross is far too strong. Not much inspiration here!
CLOSE! Easily the best chance of the match as Zaza meets a near-post corner and it looks to be falling for Antonio inside the Southampton box, but the Englishman cannot make contact!
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and we are still locked at 0-0 this afternoon. Southampton have struggled to get going in the final third, but they have been very comfortable defending their own box. Indeed, anything in the air has been won by the impressive Van Dijk.
GOAL! West Ham 0-1 Southampton (Austin)
First blood to the visitors! Southampton make the breakthrough in the 40th minute of this match as Bertrand delivers a brilliant low cross into Austin, who turns the ball into the bottom corner of the net!
West Ham need to be very careful that they do not concede another before the interval because Southampton seem intent on doubling their lead. The crowd are very, very nervous here.
SAVE! Adrian has to use his legs to keep out a low strike from Redmond.
Cedric hits the side-netting as Southampton continue to threaten a second goal here.
Just the one minute added at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: West Ham 0-1 Southampton
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Southampton leading 1-0 courtesy of a clever finish from Austin in the 40th minute of action. West Ham have had some decent moments in the final third of the field, but have largely struggled to harm the visitors.
STATISTICS! Southampton have dominated the possession with 60%, while they have had four attempts - two of which were on target and one of which found the back of the net. West Ham, meanwhile, failed to hit the target with any of their four attempts in the first half. Improvement needed!
BENCH WATCH! West Ham boss Bilic does have some good attacking options on his bench this afternoon, with the likes of Feghouli, Fletcher and Obiang all capable of making an impact. However, the lack of a proven Premier League striker is a concern. As for Southampton, Puel has options in the shape of Long, Clasie and Ward-Prowse. I suspect we will see Long at some point here.
RESTART! West Ham resume the action on home soil...
... WEST HAM SUB! Feghouli replaces Lanzini for the home side.
You just sense that West Ham need to score the next goal if they are to stand a chance of avoiding defeat in this match. A second for Southampton and for me, that would be the win secure.
West Ham have a problem here as Kouyate stays down following a high challenge. The midfielder does return to his feet after some treatment, but you have to be so careful with head injuries now.
Southampton manage to pin West Ham to the edge of their own box with a period of possession, but the home side clear their lines after a couple of dangerous moments. You can just sense the nerves inside the stadium every time Southampton go near the home side's penalty area here.
Adrian has to retreat and jump high to collect a looping header from Fonte, who had risen above everyone at the far post. West Ham really need to find a way to raise their tempo in this game.
SAVE! Super chance for the away side as Cedric breaks into the West Ham box before picking out Tadic, but the midfielder cannot beat Adrian, who makes a wonderful save!
Very tense atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment as West Ham continue to struggle. Eventually the ball is delivered into the Southampton box as Payet looks for Zaza, but Van Dijk has been terrific this afternoon and manages to head back to his own goalkeeper. Still 1-0 Saints here.
BOOKING! Noble (West Ham) is booked for a foul on Hojbjerg.
West Ham have a free kick in a wide position following a late challenge on Payet, which left the Frenchman on the deck. The home supporters want a booking for Fonte, but nothing doing!
Payet delivers into the Southampton box, but Van Dijk is on hand to make the clearance. Little over 30 minutes of this football match remaining and the visitors still lead courtesy of that Austin strike.
Penalty shout for the home side as Zaza goes down inside the box under a challenge from Romeu, but the referee is not interested. In fairness, the midfielder never touched the Italian there.
BOOKING! Zaza (West Ham) is booked for simulation.
I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals this afternoon as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. West Ham are now creating more dangerous situations, but Southampton have so much pace on the counter attack, as Redmond has just shown with a brilliant run.
GOAL! West Ham 0-2 Southampton (Tadic)
Oh my word. Southampton score their second of the match in the 62nd minute as Tadic shows super feet in front of Adrian, rounding the goalkeeper, before finishing from close range!
Southampton are not finished here as Redmond sets up Davis on the edge of the West Ham box, but his effort was always moving over the crossbar. West Ham are in bags of trouble on home soil.
BOOKING! Van Dijk (Southampton) is booked for a late tackle on Feghouli.
Reid rises to meet a deep free kick from Payet, but his header was always moving wide of the post. The home side are preparing to make their second change of the afternoon - Ashley Fletcher.
BLOCK! Davis looks certain to send Southampton 3-0 ahead after breaking into the West Ham box, but a brilliant block from Nordtveit prevents the midfielder from scoring!
WEST HAM SUB! Fletcher replaces Nordtveit for the home side.
Another penalty shout for the home side after Feghouli strikes towards Bertrand, but the referee is once again not interested. Moments before, Payet had a goal-bound strike blocked by Fonte.
CLOSE! Payet's low drive just misses the post as West Ham threaten again.
SOUTHAMPTON SUB! Long replaces Austin for the away side.
SAVE! Redmond sees his close-range effort saved by Adrian as Southampton come close to scoring a third goal. Safe to say that this half has been much better than the first!
Little over 10 minutes of football remaining and West Ham are really pushing forward, but time is starting to run out and Southampton have so much pace on the counter-attack. Zaza has a half-chance for the home side inside the box, but Van Dijk is on hand to clear off the goal-line here.
It just will not go in for West Ham, but the pressure is really on Southampton and you just get the feeling that there is another goal or goals in this match. Ten minutes is a long time in football!
Poor from Reid as he fires wide of the post from distance.
SOUTHAMPTON SUB! Ward-Prowse replaces Tadic for the away side.
BOOKING! Reid (West Ham) is booked for a poor tackle on Long.
WEST HAM SUB! Fernandes replaces Noble for the home side.
Little over five minutes of the second period remaining and time is running out for West Ham. They have been much, much better in the last 10 minutes or so, but just cannot find the back of the net.
SAVES! Southampton continue to threaten on the counter-attack and Adrian has to keep out an effort from Ward-Prowse, before denying Hojbjerg with a stunning save moments later.
SOUTHAMPTON SUB! Martina replaces Cedric for the away side here.
BOOKING! Payet (West Ham) is booked for dissent.
We are into the first of four additional minutes this afternoon.
The stands continue to empty at the Olympic Stadium as Southampton close on their fourth straight win in all competitions. West Ham, meanwhile, are heading for a fifth Premier League defeat of the season from six matches. The away supporters are in wonderful voice in the final stages.
GOAL! West Ham 0-3 Southampton (Ward-Prowse)
It is three for Southampton as Davis's deflected cross falls for Ward-Prowse, who taps home!
FULL-TIME: West Ham 0-3 Southampton
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Southampton running out 3-0 winners away to West Ham, who remain in the relegation zone. That is just about it from me this afternoon, but thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
