West Ham 3-0 Southampton: Three key players

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 31: Pablo Zabaleta of West Ham United battles for possesion with Sofiane Boufal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton at London Stadium on March 31, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /

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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 27: Shane Long of Southampton reacts during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Southampton and Watford at St Mary’s Stadium on January 27, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Shane Long

Coming off the bench at half-time to replace an isolated Manolo Gabbiadini, Long put a shift in for the 45 minutes he was on the pitch – something he does each and every time he wears Southampton red.

The Irishman’s effort was in vain as the Hammers tightened up in the second period to hold on to their comfortable lead, but the effort he put in was better than a lot of those who played the full 90.

In just 45 minutes Long – who isn’t normally praised who his creative play – completed two key passes, the joint-most of any Saints player.

Much like McCarthy there isn’t a huge amount that can be praised about Long’s performance but when a lot of the Saints’ most reliable players had dismal afternoons, the forward deserves credit.