It was a memorable debut for Southampton in their first ever appearance at West Ham’s new London Stadium where they hammered the Hammers in their first away win of the season.
The first half was very dire from either side with not a lot happening for the majority of the first 45 minutes. Southampton’s best chance came from a pass from Ryan Bertrand finding Pierre-Emille Hojbjerg just outside the box who’s shot went just wide.
The hosts were unsuccessful in their attacking and were unable to create a decent chance in the first half however Southampton could and they took the lead through the man in form himself, Charlie Austin who got his fifth goal in four games in all competitions.
Saints could’ve made it two or three nil through Nathan Redmond and Cedric but both missed the target.
West Ham attempted to get back into the game but struggled to give Fraser Forster something to do.
Dusan Tadic tested Irons goalkeeper, Adrian with a good shot into the top left hand corner but the keeper managed to stop his side from conceding.
Tadic did get the goal he deserved however after Steven Davis won the ball back from Kouyate who passed to Charlie Austin who then played a great through ball to Tadic who went around the keeper and slotted the ball to double the visitors’ lead.
West Ham tried to get themselves back in the game and managed to record their first shot on target in the game but were unable to get themselves back into the game resulting in many fans leaving still with 15 minutes to go.
This gave Saints a great advantage in a toxic atmosphere as substitute, James Ward-Prowse got on the end of Steven Davis’ pass to get his first goal of the season, and possibly his first, goal from open play! A fantastic away result for Saints as their next four of their five next games in all competitions are away from home.
My man of the match was Ryan Bertrand. He was very clever in the box today and made some intelligent runs. He even got an assist to his name for Austin’s goal and a clean-sheet.
Saints are in very good form now and have made up for missing out on winning games against Watford and Sunderland when three points should’ve come from both games.
Hapoel are next and that won’t be an easy game, especially in an intense environment that Israel is. Southampton will have the opportunity to go top of Group K with a win or a draw. After that is Leicester who aren’t in the greatest form which Saints could capitalise on. All in all the next few games could be very positive with the form that we are in.