Southampton continued their recent run of good form with a hard fought 1-0 win over West Ham United at St Mary’s.The South Coast outfit have dispelled literally any suggestions they could be sucked into the relegation scrap that may have arisen late last year with their fourth win in five matches.Despite the fact Charlie Austin came on for his home debut in front of a baying support, the winning goal actually came from the most unlikely of sources.Maya Yoshida, perhaps the most unlikely of sources, finished off a neat move for the hosts by converting a classy pattern of play from the centre of the box.Question marks will, and should be, raised of the Hammers’ defending, though the visitors improved as the game continued.Dimitri Payet was not firing on all cylinders this afternoon, though the gifted playmaker still managed to get Victor Wanyama sent off with some neat footwork.The bruising Kenyan’s dismissal put his side under pressure for large parts of the game, though they did well to hang on.While the Irons produced very little of the attacking football that has made them such a joy to watch this season, Southampton should take heart from an imposing defensive performance.Here are FIVE things we learned as Southampton edged West Ham this afternoon.
FORSTER CANNOT BE BEATEN
Fraser Forster followed up a Man of the Match performance against Arsenal in mid-week with another excellent outing.
The England international has now broken a club record on the South Coast, becoming the first stopper to record five consecutive clean sheets.
Despite his lengthy layoff, the former Celtic custodian has taken to Premier League action like a duck to water once more.
An incredible reaction save to deny Winston Reid had fans purring about his athletic ability, and increased his claim to earn a place in Roy Hodgson’s Three Lions squad for Euro 2016 this summer.
WANYAMA A LIABILITY
When Victor Wanyama is good, the man is VERY good. His shielding of Mesut Ozil against Arsenal in December gave his side a platform to record a famous result agains the then league leaders.
However, the 24-year old is prone to a lapse in concentration and ultimately either picking up a silly booking, or even worse, a straight record.
Dimitri Payet is no doubt a tricky customer and is one of the most skilful players in the league. Still, the Frenchman was not at his best yet still managed to draw a red.
Wanyama acted recklessly, diving in to bring the playmaker down around the halfway line.
That was his third dismissal this season. It may have been somewhat harsh, but Payet was going nowhere.
It didn’t cost his team this time, but the former Celtic midfielder is playing with fire too often.
3-5-2 THE 1 FOR SAINTS
Towards the end of 2015, things were not going too smoothly on the South Coast. The club were slipping down the league at an alarming rate and were even looking over their shoulder to the treacherous waters of a relegation scrap below.
However, a switch in formation for Ronald Koeman’s side has seen them transformed. Ever since the win over Watford, the Saints have looked a different side.
Not only do they posses solid defenders in the likes of Virgil van Djik, Maya Yoshida and Jose Fonte to make the system work, options further up the field help out.
In Shane Long and Steven Davis, there are willing runners in the middle of the park to make transitions from defence to attack all the more easier.
AUSTIN A SAINT
Southampton fans love Charlie Austin. That much is clear.
Granted, the £4m hitman couldn’t quite convert a glorious opportunity late on to mark his home debut, but the noise fans inside St. Mary’s made following his introduction was deafening.
For a club who are so often used to seeing players use their time there as a stepping stone for supposed bigger clubs (though, to be fair, it works), it is refreshing to see them enjoy a new hero who genuinely loves the club.
Who knows? Perhaps the 26-year old can overcome his niggling injury problems and become the latest South Coast striking hero.
He’s certainly got the support.
WEST HAM FLAT
When Payet is not at his best, the Hammers can look very flat indeed. Though they enjoyed the majority of possession, they simply couldn’t break down Saints’ barriers.
While much of that should be accredited to the home side’s stout defending, the French playmaker really struggled today.
Victor Moses was also without most of the boundless energy we so often see from the on loan Chelsea ace today, giving the side a very lethargic look about them.
