Southampton 3-2 West Ham United: Three key players

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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Swansea City at St Mary’s Stadium on August 12, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /

James Ward-Prowse

James Ward Prowse impacted the game immediately when he came on for Mario Lemina in the 65th minute. With Dusan Tadic and Cedric Soares routinely delivering ineffective crosses from the right side, Mauricio Pellegrino went to his best option on the bench.

It was Ward Prowse’s early ball in to Maya Yoshida which drew the penalty that won the game. Although he had whipped in a number of balls that deserved better end results from his targets in the box.

With this performance, I am sure he is making the manager question his decision to omit him from starting XI. As the England international was the only change from the matchday one fixture vs. Swansea.