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Southampton vs. West Ham: Premier League – Saints Player Ratings

By Erik Franzo

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 29: Said Benrahma of West Ham United takes a shot under pressure from Jack Stephens of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium on December 29, 2020 in Southampton, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 29: Said Benrahma of West Ham United takes a shot under pressure from Jack Stephens of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium on December 29, 2020 in Southampton, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) /
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Moussa Djénépo of Southampton (Photo by Andrew Boyers – Pool/Getty Images)
Moussa Djénépo of Southampton (Photo by Andrew Boyers – Pool/Getty Images) /

Southampton earned a second straight clean sheet, but could not score against a tired West Ham side at St. Mary’s.

Ralph Hasenhuttl was forced to miss the game as a family member tested positive for COVID-19.  Television commentators said he was able to conduct a Zoom prematch meeting for his team, highlighting his involvement (NBCSports). Hasenhuttl opted with a strong side, most excitingly reinstating Danny Ings from a hamstring injury.  Moussa Djenepo was given a start ahead of Stuart Armstrong and Oriol Romeu rightfully returned to his place in the centre of the pitch.

Southampton dominated the first 30 minutes, but lacked anything decisive in the attacking third.  Theo Walcott found himself in good attacking position on multiple occasions, Danny Ings had a goal pulled back for Che Adams’ drifting offside and Adams’ himself played without an understanding of the space he was being afforded.  The lack of definitive chances with so much possession had to have Hasenhuttl screaming at his monitor.

Che Adams took a vicious kick to the head from Craig Dawson, but was off his game prior to the infraction unlooked at by VAR.  Shane Long entered before the hour as Hasenhuttl had seen enough of a striker who is probably gassed from his last two weeks of football.  Danny Ings was pushed to the brink yet again and a substitute was unused emphasizing the lack of depth within the club.  This begs the question, how much farther can we go with this style of play?

Alex McCarthy literally saved the game in the final ten minutes, but it never should have been the case.  Southampton were clearly in better shape to take a lead, but found no solutions with ample time to do anything they wanted.  The team does not seem to know what to do when the game has slowed down.  They are better suited to play teams who either press them high or control possession and a new step in development is needed to avoid one-pointers.

It’s back to back 0-0 draws for the first time in we’re not sure how long, and it is going to leave a lot of sour tastes in Saints fans’ mouths.  Here are the player ratings for Southampton and their nil-nil match with West Ham.