West Ham United 2-1 Southampton

West Ham United ended 2015 in style as two second-half goals in the space of ten minutes fired the Hammers to victory over Southampton at the Boleyn Ground.      

After Dusan Tadic had diverted Shane Long’s cross beyond Adrian – albeit via the unfortunate Carl Jenkinson – in the 13th minute, the Saints threatened to inflict further damage in a difficult opening 45. 

But Slaven Bilic’s men came out fighting after the interval and eventually turned the game on its head. Michail Antonio levelled matters when an attempted clearance cannoned off his head and looped over Maarten Stekelenburg, before the returning Andy Carroll nodded home from point blank range to earn the Hammers a first win in nine in front of a jubilant Boleyn Ground. 

Bilic made two changes to the side held at Villa Park on Boxing Day, with Jenkinson replacing the injured Aaron Cresswell at left-back, while Pedro Obiang made way for Alex Song – the latter again sporting protective eyewear.   

The Hammers had looked the more likely in the early exchanges and thrice had opportunities, albeit half chances at best. Mauro Zarate got across his marker but steered James Tomkins’ cross wide of the far post, before Enner Valencia saw his shot from the edge of the box blocked. Then, Mark Noble teed up Cheikhou Kouyate, who screwed well wide of Stekelenburg’s left-hand upright. 

The Saints, however, hit the front with their first attack of note and it was well worked, too. Sadio Mane flicked into the path of Steven Davis, who fed Long on the left edge of the box. The Republic of Ireland man squared across the face, where Tadic played it onto the unfortunate Jenkinson and beyond Adrian in a flash. 

It took the wind out of West Ham sails and, but for James Collins, it might have been two on 25. Long
broke free down the right this time and pulled back perfectly for Davis. Collins flung himself in the way and Davis’ shot ricocheted over Adrian’s crossbar.            

Ten minutes later and Zarate was robbed on the touchline by Davis. The Saints’ No8 strode forward and flashed a drive just wide of the far post. 

The chances continued to come. Adrian repelled a Jose Fonte header, before Victor Wanyama spanked the rebound over the top. Seconds later and Mane was bearing down on goal, but he couldn’t quite bring the ball under his spell and his finish was a tame one. Tadic had a dig too, though the busy Adrian flung himself to his right and clung on.                    

No doubt troubled by what he had seen, Bilic made a double change at the break. Zarate and Song were withdrawn and in their stead came the fit-again duo Carroll and Manuel Lanzini. And the former passed up a glorious opportunity within three minutes of joining the action. After Collins’ header had been cleared off the line by Cuco Martina, Tomkins controlled Noble’s cross and Carroll blasted over the top from little more than six yards out.           

But parity was restored in the 69th minute in bizarre fashion, courtesy of Antonio’s first goal in Claret and Blue. The winger burst into the box and despite being tripped before pulling the trigger, Wanyama’s clearance cannoned into the No30 and looped over Stekelenburg.  It was nothing more than Antonio’s enterprise deserved. 

The Hammers sought to turn the screw and turned the game on its head ten minutes later. Valencia’s cross from the right sat up sweetly for Antonio and after his header came crashing back off the underside of the bar, there was Carroll to gleefully nod home.  

Antonio might have sealed it late on, but he smashed wide of the near post with only the ‘keeper to beat. It mattered not, however, as West Ham held firm to climb up to seventh spot.

West Ham United: Adrian, Tomkins, Collins, Ogbonna, Jenkinson, Kouyate, Song (Lanzini 46), Noble (c), Antonio, Zarate (Carroll 46), Valencia (Obiang 87)  
Subs: Randolph (GK), Oxford, Hendrie, Cullen

Booked: Tomkins  

Goals: Antonio 69, Carroll 79 

Southampton: Stekelenburg, Martina (Yoshida 70), Van Dijk, Fonte (c), Bertrand, Romeu, Wanyama, Mane (Juanmi 75), Davis, Tadic (Ramirez 75), Long  

Booked: Martina, Romeu, Bertrand  

Goal: Jenkinson (og) 

Subs: Gazzaniga (GK), Caulker, Clasie, Ward-Prowse