Goal.com match reporter and ClaretandHugh blogger  Harry Sherlock watched the Hammers beat Southampton 3-1. He was also at Selhurst Park as Palace were beaten by the south coast outfit.Here,he gives his view on the merits of the Irons and Tony Pulis’ outfit

West Ham recently provided the blueprint for how to beat Southampton.

A high pressing game coupled with a clinical attacking edge reaped its rewards at the Boleyn, as they put Mauricio Pochettino’s side to the sword and ran out 3-1 winners.

Character was there in abundance, as they had to fight back from a goal down, and a number of players could have taken the man-of-the-match award – with Mark Noble, Kevin Nolan and Guy Demel all equally influential.

I was in attendance that day and was impressed. Sam Allardyce got his tactics spot on.

I also covered Southampton on Saturday, as they ground out a 1-0 win at Selhurst Park over Crystal Palace.

Having seen the Hammers within a couple of points of the Eagles earlier this season, it’s fair to say that a comparison can be made between the two games.

And that reflects mightily well on West Ham.

Palace  were devoid of ideas, devoid of any kind of creativity and could not force Artur Boruc into a meaningful save over the space of 90 minutes. They made Southampton look like top-four contenders.

The Hammers, now 10th and four points clear of Pulis’ men, made Southampton look ordinary.

They played on the counter and won well. Palace tried to do the same and got beat. Put simply, that’s down to the difference in ability in both squads.

West Ham have a squad full of Premier League players. Palace have a squad full of Championship players, with a tiny smattering of top-flight experience.

The Irons may only be four points ahead of Palace but, on today’s evidence, it would take a collapse of Devon Loch proportions for the Eagles to fly ahead of the Hammers between now and the end of the season!