SOU vs WHU
Match Centre

Saints beaten by solitary first-half strike

Southampton came up short in pursuit of a third straight home win, as Sébastien Haller’s solitary first-half goal decided a tight game at St Mary’s. Our report.

FULL-TIME: Saints 0-1 West Ham

Despite a much brighter second period, the visitors take all three points. 

Throwing everything at it

The home side throwing everything at this but unable to make a breakthrough. Adams goes over in the box, nothing given. He had a presentable chance moments earlier but the ball wouldn't drop for him inside the area. 

Prowsey free-kick

In a very similar position to the one against Watford not long ago. Unfortunately no where near as much pace or whip on the ball and Martin collects.

Can this man make a difference? 🤞

Saints have now made all their available changes.

Højbjerg stabs wide

Lovely move from Saints on the edge of the West Ham box. Flowing, one touch passing, which results in a good chance for Højbjerg, but he can't control his effort on target.

Southampton substitution: Ché Adams replaces Cédric

Final change.

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Southampton substitution: Stuart Armstrong replaces Shane Long

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Stephens foray

The centre-half steps out of defence and ventures forwards, plays a lovely pass through to Højbjerg, who pulls the ball back for the defender. Lovely move, shot is way off target. 

Looking dangerous

He's hit the crossbar, the post and the back of the net all in the last 10 minutes. Sadly, still no breakthrough.

WOW!

That is a peach of a hit from Ings, which flies into the top corner. But the referee pulls the play back for an apparent foul from Djenepo on Fredericks. Bizarre. 

AND NOW THE POST

Ingsy's shot smashes the inside of the post. He's starting to get in behind now. The flag was up for offside, but he looked to be in line, Interesting if VAR would have intervened, had he scored. 

CROSSBAR 😩

What a strike from Danny Ings on the swivel, but it rattles the crossbar and Long hits the side netting from the follow up. 

Neat interchange

Nice one-two between Djenepo and Ings on the edge of the West Ham box but there were covering defenders. Saints enjoying plenty of the ball.

Unlucky, Moussa

Did everything right, cutting inside his man and maneuvering space for the shot, but end product wasn't quite good enough. 

Fine work from Ings

It's played into the channel for him to run on to, but he finds traffic. Ball recycled towards Long and then played into the box and headed behind. Resulting corner isn't up to much, but ball eventually falls to Djenepo, whose shot is a few yards over.

BIG decision

A second goal for West Ham has been ruled out by VAR. Antonio, the scorer, was adjudged to have handled the ball in the build up. It remains 1-0.

Southampton substitution: Oriol Romeu replaces Nathan Redmond

Half-time switch for Saints.

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Soooo close!

Longy is released down the left and does superbly to get to the ball, he rolls it back for Cédric who crosses first time, just as Prowsey is arriving. It's more of a glancing header, but the pace beats him.

Second half gets under way

Saints straight under pressure. Fornals fires at McCarthy from the edge of the area and the Saints stopper does well to get a hand to it.

HALF-TIME: Saints 0-1 West Ham

The visitors take their lead into the break. Haller's goal is the difference, but Antonio is the player who has really set the two sides apart. All to play for second period.

Chance!

Good play from the hosts, to work the ball to Cédric. The cross had plenty of whip on it, but Højbjerg threw his head too enthusiastically at it and it flies over.

Yellow Card for Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Southampton)

Bright spell

Saints much better in possession during this phase of play. Prowsey getting on the ball centrally. But Højbjerg loses it, and then fouls his man.

Flowing move

Djenepo looking for Ings in the end, doesn't quite get the weight of pass right. Ings lunges to catch the ball before it runs out of play and can only scoop it into the hands of Martin.

Sloppy in possession

Saints have been wasteful on a few occasions. Passes from the back have gone astray, and deliveries into the area aren't quite accurate enough. 

VAR checking a possible penalty...

There was a tangle in the box between Bertrand and Antonio, as well as Bednarek. It looked clumsy, but nothing in it. Check over and play continues. 

Cédric effort wayward

Immediately up the opposition end, the Portuguese got right under the ball and fires it way over the bar. Ings had made a run, and was perhaps the better option. 

Bertrand cross

No takers. He delivers to the back post, Cédric is arriving late but rather mistimes his kick. Djenepo attempts to keep the ball in play but fails to do so. Promising build up play from Saints.

Long header

Ball hung up by Højbjerg from wide left, and the striker's leap allowed him to connect. The header lacked power, and so Martin claimed fairly comfortably. Longy looking dangerous in the air.

Prowsey delivers

Usual corner routine, attacked by Stephens but it's too high. Worked back out wide to the midfielder who again crosses too deep. Redmond picks the ball up but delivery blocked. 

Redmond relieves pressure

Saints had their backs against the wall for a few minutes there, but pressure has been relieved by the forward run of Redmond. He's won a throw, deep in the West Ham half, which is now a corner. 

Prowsey gets us under way...

We're off here at St Mary's, on a big evening for both sides. A huge three points up for grabs.

Formalities complete! 🤝

Handshakes done, we're ready for kick-off here at St Mary's...

Getting warm! 🔥

It's a chilly evening at St Mary's tonight. Gearing up for the penultimate home tie of 2019!

UNCHANGED! 👊

Ralph Hasenhüttl goes with the same starting XI from last weekend's trip to Newcastle; both Stuart Armstrong and Jannik Vestergaard return as options on the bench. Sofiane Boufal misses out. 

Saints XI confirmed 😇

Starting XI: McCarthy (GK), Cédric, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand, Ward-Prowse, Højbjerg (c), Redmond, Djenepo, Ings, Long.

A peak inside the dressing room 👀

Saints have been unchanged for the previous few fixtures, would you stick or twist today against West Ham? 🤔

Get clued up before kick-off! 🤓

Looking to record a third straight home win, Southampton host West Ham in the Premier League today. Get set for the showdown at St Mary's with our Match Pack, in association with eToro...

All smiles 😄

Checking in at St Mary's! Southampton's players in the building nice and early for today's late kick-off.

U18s secure FA Youth Cup progression 😇

Have a watch of the highlights from Southampton Under-18s' midweek success over Bristol Rovers - the third goal is an absolute peach! 😍

The manager's pre-match brief 🗣

We spoke to Ralph Hasenhüttl earlier in the week, to get his thoughts on today's opponents and how Southampton are shaping up for another BIG home clash.

The team at the moment is in a better shape. everyone can feel this is more this team, more the football we want to play.

ralph hasenhüttl

southampton fc manager

tRAINing ☔️

It's been a particularly soggy few days at Staplewood Campus, as Saints have been preparing for today's game. Take a look through the best of this week's training images. 

MATCHDAY! 😍

St Mary's comes alive on a MATCHDAY and Southampton are bidding for their third successive home victory, after seeing off both Watford and Norwich City last week. Defeat to Newcastle United followed, but performance levels didn't dip, and Saints will feel as if they have plenty of momentum entering today's West Ham clash. The Hammers were beaten by Arsenal in their last outing, and need the points just as much as Ralph Hasenhüttl's side.