Bowen enjoys dream first start as West Ham power past sorry Saints

West Ham climbed out of the relegation zone as goals from Jarrod Bowen, Sebastien Haller and Michail Antonio sank Southampton 3-1.

Deadline-day signing Bowen marked his first Hammers start with the opening goal and ended up celebrating his first win in the Premier League, having suffered defeat in each of his previous nine matches.

Record signing Haller chipped in with his first goal since New Year’s Day after Michael Obafemi had equalised, and Antonio wrapped up a much-needed victory after half-time.

The result lifted the Hammers one place to 17th on 27 points from 28 games, one more than 18th-placed Aston Villa who have a game in hand as they meet Manchester City in the League Cup final today.

Bowen fired West ham ahead with his first goal for the club since his January move from Championship side Hull City.

He struck in the 15th minute with a clinical finish before Obafemi levelled in the 31st, sweeping the ball in with a first-time shot after James Ward-Prowse delivered a low cross from the right.

Haller restored the home team’s advantage shortly before half-time as he beat Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy to a looping cross from the left and slid in to prod the ball home from a tight angle.

Antonio put the game beyond Southampton’s reach when he steered the ball past McCarthy after another superb assist by Pablo Fornals, who released the midfielder with a defence-splitting pass through the middle.

“I think that’s the way it went in my dreams last night,” said Bowen after the match. “We held on and got the three points which is really important.

Steve Bruce’s gamble failed to pay off as Newcastle United drew a blank once again and had to make do with a point from a hard-fought Premier League clash with Burnley.

Magpies manager Bruce changed both personnel and system as he attempted to bring greater creativity to his team after they were unable to score against Norwich, Arsenal and Crystal Palace.

The introduction of a second striker in Dwight Gayle, as £40 million [Dh188.4] man Joelinton moved to the left, was not rewarded with goals.

Newcastle did create chances with the likes of Jonjo Shelvey and Miguel Almiron lively, but they could not take any of them and had to make do with a 0-0 draw.