Premier League
West Ham United 2-1 Southampton 

Sunday, 27th December 2015
by Gordon Thrower

Dear Jekyll, Happy New Tear. Yours sincerely, Hyde.



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Player Ratings

Adrian San Miguel Del Castillo
No chance with the goal but otherwise decent runout that on occasion kept us in the game in the first half. Dealt with a number of difficult corners well despite opposition attention that was sometimes less than legal.


James Tomkins
Given that he?EUR(TM)s neither a right back nor a left back by trade he put up a creditable show in both positions defensively speaking, though his defensive priority mindset does reduce our attacking options from out wide when he plays there.


Carl Jenkinson
Looked exactly what he was in the first half: a right sided defender asked to play on the left. His lack of a left foot was a problem in the first 45. Wisely switched to his more familiar right-back role by Bilic after the interval he seemed infinitely more comfortable in the second half.


James Collins
Partly culpable in the build up to their goal there were a couple of heart in mouth moments, notably in the second half when he kicked an opponent up in the air just after the offside flag had been raised. However, take those moments out of the equation and he was immense, dealing well with Long?EUR(TM)s usual antics, particularly in the second half.


Angelo Ogbonna
Got caught out of position quite a lot in the first half ?EUR" often when trying to cover for Jenkinson. However, the full-back swap in the second half saw him regain some composure.


Cheikhou Kouyate
The withdrawal of Song meant his role was more clearly defined in the second half and the improvement was pivotal in our resurgence.


Alex Song
Seemed to be playing in the wrong position ?EUR" he and Kouyate seemed to either be in the same place or the wrong place in the first half. His withdrawal restored a bit of balance to a midfield that was as unbalanced as a Donald Trump supporter.


Mark Noble
Kept finding opponents in the first half but his passing improved in the second half and he came up with a number of storming tackles towards the end.


Michail Antonio
Clearly purchased with one eye on the future, he has been brought into the first team picture ahead of schedule and is beginning to make a case for inclusion on a more regular basis once we get everyone fit. At times he represented our sole attacking presence. Marvellous finish for the goal (!) which, note to editor, if we introduce a Carlton Cole Memorial Award for best Comedy Goal Of The Season must surely be a shoe-in. MOTM.


Mauro Zarate
Seemed to be over-aware that his presence represented our main creative source in the first half and he was consequently guilty of trying to do too much ?EUR" a dangerous combination in a player whose decision-making skills are not always at their best.


Enner Valencia
A lot of running off the ball which may have gone unnoticed. Had us all worried towards the end when trying to chase down a defender and he seemed to fall awkwardly but his late withdrawal seemed to be mainly due to his being knackered.



Substitutes

Andy Carroll
(Replaced Zarate) His mere presence seemed to unnerve the visitors?EUR(TM) defence. Took the winner in fine poacher style.


Manuel Lanzini
(Replaced Song) A welcome return ?EUR" in the second half he was everything that the luckless Zarate had tried to be in the first.


Pedro Obiang
(Replaced Valencia) Brought on in the closing stages to bolster the midfield. Did so.


Darren Randolph
Did not play.


Stephen Hendrie
Did not play.


Reece Oxford
Did not play.


Josh Cullen
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Adrian San Miguel Del Castillo, James Tomkins, Carl Jenkinson, James Collins, Angelo Ogbonna, Cheikhou Kouyate, Alex Song, Mark Noble, Michail Antonio, Mauro Zarate, Enner Valencia.

Goals: Michail Antonio 69 Andy Carroll 79                .

Booked: James Tomkins 57          .

Sent off: None.

Southampton: .

Subs not used: .

Goals: .

Booked: n/a.

Sent off: None.

Referee: Mike Dean.

Attendance: 38,193.

Man of the Match: Michail Antonio.