1. Aguerd has Hammers heading in the right direction
It was an unlikely source that had West Ham United heading in the right direction with a 1-0 Premier League win over Southampton on Sunday.
Nayef Aguerd climbed highest to nod home Thilo Kehrer’s free-kick with 25 minutes played in east London, a goal that proved the decisive moment against the Saints.
A moment of pure delight followed, but not until after a three-and-a-half minute wait for VAR Peter Bankes to confirm the Morocco international was onside!
After sustaining an ankle injury in a pre-season match at Rangers in July last year, a long road to recovery for Aguerd saw the No27 return just in time to feature at the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals for his country.
Making his tenth successive start in the Premier League for the Hammers, Aguerd netted his welcome first goal. As he wheeled away in jubilation, you could see what it meant too.
He was also key as the Irons kept a clean sheet to ensure the win. Aguerd also impressed with 88 per cent passing completion. Classy, as always, then.
2. Paquetá tackles Saints' test
Sticking with summer 2022 arrivals, Southampton was also one of Paquetá’s most impressive showings in Claret and Blue.
There may not have been a goal contribution, but the Brazil international more than played his part in the win, most notably with his defensive contribution.
As the stats show, the No11's all-around game was key to keep his team unbeaten at home this calendar year.
Paquetá recorded the most tackles of all players on the pitch. In fact, his ten tackles were double the amount posted by any other player at London Stadium. He was also ranked first in 'duels won' and 'ball recoveries', while also providing a few moments of magic on the ball, too.
That is perhaps what captivated the Hammers in attendance the most. In particular, his flick to free Thilo Kehrer and work his team out of a difficult area showed his quality, although Paquetá clearly is just as good without the ball as he was with it.
3. Fortress London Stadium
Following a 1-0 win over Southampton, the Hammers are now unbeaten in five Premier League home games in 2023, having collected eleven points from a possible 15.
They have also won five of their last six matches against the Saints played in east London.
Wins in east London have come against Everton, Nottingham Forest and Southampton since the turn of the year, while creditable draws against Aston Villa and Chelsea have helped the Hammers push up the table since the calendar flipped three months ago.
The Club will seek to continue the positive start at London Stadium on Wednesday against Newcastle United, while Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Leeds United will also visit E20 before the season is out.
4. A Fab return to action
Łukasz Fabiański more than played his part on his return to the starting XI, having missed the Irons’ last five matches in all competitions due to a fractured cheekbone sustained in a 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest in February.
After Nayef Aguerd put the Irons ahead, Fabiański kept his side’s lead intact with a stunning save just moments later.
Mohamed Elyounoussi found Romain Perraud, the scorer of the opener in the 1-1 draw at St Mary’s Stadium in October, but this time the French left-back saw his shot tipped around the post by Hammers No1, who showed no rustiness by diving low to his left and thrust out a hand.
Fabiański also made good saves to deny Roméo Lavia and Carlos Alcaraz in the second half too, and ended the afternoon with the 87th Premier League clean sheet of his illustrious career.
5. Southampton at London Stadium – again!
West Ham United have taken the first step towards a unique double over the Saints at London Stadium this week.
Nayef Aguerd’s header sent the Hammers to a welcome Premier League victory on Sunday, and now the two clubs' U18s sides will meet in the FA Youth Cup semi-final at the same venue on Thursday evening
With just a point needed to take the U18 Premier League South division title, too Kevin Keen’s side could take a big step towards a memorable double with a win.
The Irons are in outstanding form this season, winning 22 of their 26 matches in all competitions, but head into Thursday's match on the back of a late 4-3 home defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday that denied them the league championship.
Thursday's tie marks the first time the U18s have been in the semi-finals since the team last won the FA Youth Cup, in 1999.
You can book your tickets here for West Ham’s first FA Youth Cup semi-final in 24 years here.
