Irons 1 Saints 0
West Ham were outstanding during a first half when they enjoyed nearly 70 per cent of the possession and really made it count.
With Mark Noble pulling all the strings in midfield and laying on the pass for Arnie to fire home from 14 yards he looked a top PL player.
Almost matching him in midfield was Pedro Obiang – a surprise inclusion – with Anderson and Rice pulling out through illness and Snodgrass suspended.
Arthur Masuaku made some seriously good runs and Antonio was only denied by the Saints keeper near the end with a fine shot off Obiang’s great pass.
But it was the quality of the passing generally and the chances created that were so impressive with the Hammers holding a high line and trying to pop Arnie in with balls over the top.
We genuinely are starting to play like a big team and with Balbuena and Diop in top form at the back it was great to see Fabianski having a more comfortable afternoon.
Snodgrass and Anderson?