Some peculiar tactics and substitutions resulted in West Ham losing their unbeaten away record and gifted Southampton a five point lead at the top of the Championship.
With the impressive Jack Collison dropping to the bench for Tuesday nights game at St Marys, Matt Taylor was only able to last fewer than 20 minutes due to his constant calf problem which surely meant the introduction of Collison to bolster the side.
Whether it was to please supporters with an attacking approach or just trying something new, Freddie Piquionne replaced the left winger and things went downhill from there.
In an even first half, both teams tested the opposition’s goalkeeper but the breakthrough came right on the half time whistle.
Some slack set piece marking enabled Jos Hooiveld to leap above Kevin Nolan to nod home from Danny Fox’s corner giving the home side the lead.
The second half was a more open affair with chances falling the Hammers way but both Sam Baldock and Nolan were unable to take advantage before Mark Noble forced Kelvin Davis into a superb save in the top corner from a free-kick.
End to end football in the final minutes of the game could not result in a West Ham equaliser and the record attendance St Marys saw the home side extend their lead at the top of the league.
