Southampton bagged their first victory of the season in style as they beat West Ham United 3-1 at Upton Park on Saturday.
West Ham took the lead midway through the first half thanks to Mark Noble’s effort, but Saints came roaring back as Morgan Schneiderlin equalized just before the break and then grabbed his second of the game with 20 minutes left. Southampton dominated the second half and a late goal for Graziano Pelle — his first in the PL — sealed the victory for Ronald Koeman’s men.
With the win Saints now have four points from their opening three games, while West Ham are on three points.
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Early on Southampton pressed West Ham back in their own half as Dusan Tadic whipped in some great balls and caused the Hammers defense all kinds of issues. Saints continued to have the lions share of possession but the Hammers worked hard to stay disciplined.
In the 21st minute Stewart Downing’s deflected free kick bobbled in the box and found Ricardo Vaz Te at the back post but Saints’ goalkeeper Fraser Forster got the faintest of touches to divert the ball wide of the far post. So close for the Hammers.
Noble did put the home side ahead in the first half as he dispossessed Schneiderlin and then struck a rather tame effort towards goal which took a deflection off Saints defender Maya Yoshida and found the net. West Ham were 1-0 up. Saints almost hit back straight away as Pelle headed towards goal but Aaron Cresswell cleared off the line.
Right on half time Saints drew level as Tadic’s free kick from the left found Schneiderlin at the back post and the Frenchman smashed the ball into the far corner at the second attempt to make it 1-1. Pelle may have got a touch on the line, but the goal was initially given to Schneiderlin as the sides were level at the break.
Saints started off the second half well and Shane Long spun his marker and drilled a low shot towards goal which Adrian tipped wide. Saints continued to press forward as Pelle just missed the ball, then Tadic had an effort pushed wide at the back post. Schneiderlin should then have scored again as the Frenchman arrived unmarked in the box but hammered his volley over the bar when he should have hit the target.
Pelle then looked to have put Saints ahead as he tucked home at the back post but the Italian forward was flagged offside. Pelle looked to be level as the ball arrived as West Ham were let off the hook. Saints continued to boss possession in the second half as Long, Tadic and Pelle continued to be a thorn in West Ham’s side.
After dominating the entire second half Saints finally went ahead after a quick corner found James Ward-Prowse and his whipped delivery was tucked home by Schneiderlin for his and Saints’ second goal of the afternoon. Late on West Ham threw the kitchen sink at Saints as they looked for an equalizer but Pelle hammered home after good work from Nathaniel Clyne down the right and Saints bagged a deserved three points.
LINEUPS
West Ham United: Adrian, O’Brien, Cresswell, Reid, Tomkins, Kouyate, Noble, Vaz Te (Diame, 58′), Downing, Zarate (Morrison, 57′), Cole (Valencia, 79′)
Goal: Noble (27′)
Southampton: Forster, Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Bertrand, Schneiderlin, S. Davis, Ward-Prowse (Cork, 71′), Tadic, Long (Ramirez, 66′), Pelle
Goals: Schneiderlin (45′ & 68′), Pelle (84′)
