West Ham 4-1 Southampton

Southampton's fragile defence was
exposed again as Mark Noble scored
two second-half goals in a comfortable
4-1 victory for West Ham.
Saints remain out of the drop zone but
pointless on their travels and after
conceding their 24th goal of the
season at Upton Park - the worst
defensive record in the Premier League
- these are worrying times for the
South Coast club.
Meanwhile, Sam Allardyce's men from
east London continue to impress in the
top-flight as their fourth win in the
current campaign hoisted them up to
seventh.
The opening period was a turgid affair,
lit up only occasionally by the lively
Matt Jarvis and Andy Carroll for the
hosts, but two goals in as many
minutes immediately after the break
changed everything.
It all started with a slice of luck for the
Hammers when Noble's free-kick
deceived Southampton's static defence
with the ball bouncing straight in for
the opener.
Within 93 seconds the lead was
doubled and it was thanks to the
influential Yossi Benayoun, whose shot
was parried by keeper Artur Boruc,
leaving Kevin Nolan to tap in.
Adam Lallana's sizzling half-volley lifted
the hopes for the visitors, but an act of
madness by Jose Fonte handed West
Ham a reprieve to restore their two-
goal advantage.
The defender tugged at Carroll's pony
tail when the ball was floated into the
box and Noble stepped up to slam in
the penalty and settle any West Ham
nerves.
There was still time for Southampton's
beleaguered defenders to fold again as
they allowed Modiba Maiga to stroll
through and curl in a fabulous fourth.