By Sam Tonks
A brace from Marko Arnautovic and Ryan Fredericks’ first Premier League goal secured a final home win of the season for West Ham, defeating Southampton 3-0.
The forward edged his side ahead in the first half, the points were then sealed with two goals in four second-half minutes to round off an impressive home campaign.
For the final time this season, it was match-day at London Stadium with Southampton the visitors for West Ham United.
A win for the hosts would still provide the possibility of a top-half finish, which would show the progress made this season under Manuel Pellegrini.
Three changes were made for West Ham after last week’s outstanding win away to Spurs. Manuel Lanzini, Grady Diangana and Pedro Obiang came in for Felipe Anderson and Declan Rice who were ill, Robert Snodgrass was suspended.
In a break-through season for Diangana, it was another chance today for him to light up the first-team stage. He was oozing confidence, linking up neatly with Arnautovic and not afraid to shoot, one was blocked on the edge of the box.
Southampton were missing key-men such as James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond, but created the first opening of the game in the sixth minute. Danny Ings held up play on the edge of the area and played the ball into Stuart Armstrong’s path, he blazed a shot over.
It was a very tight first-half, but the Hammers made the break-through in the 16th minute. Captain Mark Noble intercepted a loose ball in midfield and perfectly played Arnautovic in on goal, he calmly slotted under the on-rushing Fraser Forster, a much-needed goal for him.
The hero of the memorable derby victory at Spurs, Michail Antonio, was close to a third goal in as many games during the half. Twice he fought off challenges on the left-hand side, but both times Fraser Forster was able to keep the efforts out.
Winger Redmond was introduced at half-time for Ings, Ralph Hassenhutl looking to inject more pace into the Southampton attack.
They started with purpose, the substitute being their catalyst to testing the West Ham defence. A Ryan Bertrand corner managed to evade his team-mates; Redmond fired the ball back but it was blocked.
West Ham were on the back-foot in the second half. Shane Long lofted a ball over to Pierre Hojberg who attempted to juggle it past Balbuena, but he defended well.
It was Redmond again threatening West Ham, proving the key outlet for his side. Another set piece was well delivered, Jan Bednarek flicked it onto Redmond, his volley was well saved by Lukasz Fabianski.
This livened up the hosts, Lanzini driving into the area and forcing a smart save from Forster. They began to step it up a gear and all-but sealed the win with two goals in four minutes.
In the 69th minute, Artur Masuaku glided down the left, sending Ryan Bertrand onto the floor. His cross was parried by Forster onto Arnautovic who gleefully headed the loose ball into the net.
After a strong second-half from Southampton, the Hammers took the game away from them. Fredericks surged into the right side of the box and drilled a shot past the helpless Forster, his first Premier League goal to get home fans roaring.
Following frustrating seasons, Jack Wilshere gained more minutes off the bench and Carlos Sanchez returned from long-term injury, a pleasing sight for Pellegrini. Â
He had a brace, as he did in this corresponding fixture last year, but the Austrian striker wanted a treble. He stepped up for a free-kick, yet couldn’t replicate Lionel Messi’s midweek heroics. Then was even closer with a curling effort minutes later, half of London Stadium began celebrating. There were still celebrations at the final whistle, a victorious day for West Ham.
A ninth home-win of the season lifts the Hammers to two points behind ninth-place Leicester and rounds off a memorable year at London Stadium, with plenty of goals.
