Southampton 3-2 West Ham United: Match recap

A late Charlie Austin penalty secured Southampton’s first win of the season, in an intense and feisty game against Slaven Bilic’s West Ham.

Southampton were saved from severe embarrassment late on, as Pablo Zabaleta’s foul on Maya Yoshida allowed the Saints to take home all three points from the spot.

It means that West Ham have started the season with zero points and seven conceded from their opening two games. Meanwhile Southampton have propped themselves up to four points after last week’s goalless draw with Swansea.

The game also saw a debut for Mario Lemina in the middle of the park, as he replaced James Ward-Prowse in a re-jigged tactical set-up.

The match will however best be remembered for Marko Arnautovic’s red card, as he was sent off around the half-hour mark for a blatant elbow into Jack Stephen’s neck.

After over nine hours without a home goal, St. Mary’s erupted after 11 minutes when Manolo Gabbiadini calmly placed the ball across goal with his strong left foot to give the Saints the lead.

Former Southampton captain Jose Fonte was again involved as a more-attacking Steven Davis drove into the box before being dragged down by the Portuguese defender. Despite a fairly average record from the spot and less-than-convincing take, Dusan Tadic converted from 12 yards past Joe Hart.

More from Saints Marching

• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
• It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
• Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

However that came after the game’s defining moment, in which West Ham’s record signing – Marko Arnautovic – was given a straight red for a malicious elbow on Jack Stephens.

But the ten men of West Ham soldiered on and grabbed a goal right before half-time. A weak parry from Fraser Forster fell into the path of Javier Hernandez, who duly converted.

The second half saw the introduction of James Ward-Prowse on the hour mark, which proved the game-changer down the right-hand side. However despite Mauricio Pellegrino’s side’s best efforts to score a third, they instead conceded in a similar fashion to before.

Forster was again at fault as he failed to clear his lines before Chicarito once again pounced. He’s now scored 38 Premier League goals – all from inside the box.

But the drama would continue right until the last minute, with Southampton hitting the woodwork twice before Pablo Zabaleta brought down Yoshida in the box with only injury time to play. The substitute sent Hart the wrong way to secure the three point for Pellgrino and Southampton.