Joe to put his Hart and soul into battle
this is something we have to improve on. Physically they were maybe stronger than us.”
A rollercoaster of an afternoon began when West Ham defender Winston Reid was ruled out of the starting line-up after suffering a calf injury in the warm-up.
And despite Hammers boss Slaven Bilic spending nearly double what Saints have this summer, it was the south coast club who looked more impressive early on.
Record signing Mario Lemina made his Saints debut following an £18m move from Juventus.
But it was other, more familiar faces who were instrumental in the hosts ending their St Mary’s goal drought in the 11th minute.
Nathan Redmond provided an inviting through-ball and Italy international Gabbiadini reacted fastest before sweeping a first-time, left-footed shot into the far corner from 10 yards.
It was a neat finish to end a neat move and Southampton’s first goal after a club-record six home Premier League matches on the bounce without scoring.
What was a bad start turned even worse for the Hammers when their record signing Arnautovic was sent off in the 33rd minute.
The £24m signing from Stoke crashed into Jack Stephens with his elbow and referee Lee Mason quickly showed him a red card.
West Ham were reeling and five minutes later conceded another when former Saints defender Jose Fonte hauled down Steven Davis.
Tadic, Southampton’s most inventive player, was fortunate with the resulting penalty after hitting his spot-kick straight down the middle and Joe Hart almost stopped it with his feet as he dived to his right.
Hard-working
Davis then shot over after creating a chance himself before Saints were punished for a loss NO WAY! Hernandez fumes over the penalty of concentration just before the break. Michail Antonio, who looked sharp on his return after a hamstring operation, was allowed to turn and test Fraser Forster with a fizzing, low shot from the edge of the area.
The Saints keeper got down low to his left to block and Mexico hitman Hernandez was quickest to pounce. The former Manchester United striker – a £16m summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen – then almost levelled for the Londoners early in the second half when he nearly caught out Forster with a bouncing effort from the left wing. Southampton came close when Gabbiadini struck the crossbar from 25 yards out and moments later Hernandez went wide from a similar distance at the other end. But it was Saints who were doing most of the attacking while West Ham’s 10 men put up a dogged resistance and Hart denied Tadic with a smart save just after the hour.
Saints were then left stunned when Aaron Cresswell’s left-wing cross created havoc in the penalty area.
Diafra Sakho headed Cresswell’s delivery against the post and Hernandez – – was on hand to convert on the rebound from close range.
But there was to be another twist. Zabaleta, with help from Fonte, was judged to have pushed Yoshida as he chased a long cross and Southampton were awarded a penalty.
Austin calmly converted shortly after coming on as substitute by sending Hart the wrong way.
Bilic said: “We didn’t give up and we showed quality. They responded to what we asked of them in the best possible way. I’m gutted that we lost a point but there were a lot of positives from the performance.
“We knew what we were getting with Chicharito. He’s a great player.” JOE HART has vowed to fight as hard as he can for the England No.1 shirt.
The on-loan West Ham goalkeeper’s return to the Premier League turned into a nightmare last Sunday as Manchester United rifled four goals past him.
And he coneceded another three yesterday as Southampton snatched a late 3-2 win.
Hart knows he must impress this season with Fraser Forster, Tom Heaton, Jack Butland and Jordan Pickford all breathing down his neck, ready to become Gareth Southgate’s first-choice in goal.
He said: “There’s a battle for England’s No.1 spot.
“I have always said the standard of keepers in this country is very high.
“Tom Heaton has been nothing short of a miracle for Burnley with his displays.
“Jordan Pickford comes into the mix now and Fraser has just signed a new deal at Southampton.
“There are some great keepers and I don’t think that will change.
“It’s a privileged position to play for England. Every single time I’ve put on that shirt I have been very proud and very excited for what comes with it.
“Gareth likes me being back here, he thinks it’s the right place for me.
“I felt like I could do what the Torino manager asked me to do and I feel capable of doing what Slaven Bilic at West Ham asks me to do.
“It has been the same when I’ve been with England and any manager I’ve played under. I feel comfortable that I can achieve what they’ve asked me to do.
“Working hard isn’t a problem for me, digging deep isn’t a problem for me, that’s who I am and that’s what I will continue doing until my body won’t let me.”
Southgate will name his squad for the upcoming games against Malta and Slovakia on Thursday knowing that two wins could book his side’s place in next year’s World Cup.
The Three Lions are currently unbeaten at the top of Group F with 14 points and Southgate has a big call to make about his goalkeepers.
Hart has revealed he spoke to former England and West Ham stoppers David James and Robert Green about his future in recent months.
He said: I’m really lucky to have had some sound advice from people I respect, and Jamo is certainly one of them. Everyone said it was a great opportunity and that I had to need to grasp it.”