EPL: Southampton 3-2 West Ham

Charlie Austin netted a stoppage-time penalty

Charlie Austin netted a stoppage-time penalty as Southampton claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over 10-man West Ham.

Javier Hernandez's double salvo looked to have saved the Hammers, who came from 2-0 down following goals from Manolo Gabbiadini and Dusan Tadic despite having Marko Arnautovic sent off in the first half for an elbow on Jack Stephens.

 

In a feisty encounter, there was an argument to suggest that Tadic should not have been on the pitch when he scored after a reckless challenge on Hernandez that only received a yellow card.

The game looked set to end level, however, referee Lee Mason awarded a controversial 90th-minute penalty after Pablo Zabaleta nudged Maya Yoshida following a James Ward-Prowse cross. Austin, who was once criticised by Hammers co-chairman David Sullivan over his fitness, stepped up and sent Joe Hart the wrong way to rescue the Saints.

West Ham started with positive intent, with the returning Michail Antonio releasing Arnautovic but he fired wide instead of going across the goalkeeper. Gabbiadini showed the Serbian how it should be done on 11 minutes - firing home from an acute angle to break a club goal drought stretching six home league games.

Tadic was then lucky to avoid a straight red for a wild lunge on Hernandez before Arnautovic was given his marching orders for a needless elbow on Stephens right in front of the referee.

 

The Saints took advantage of the extra man and doubled their lead on 36 minutes from the penalty spot through Tadic, after the returning Jose Fonte had pulled back Steven Davis.

Hernandez then gave the 10-man Hammers hope just before the break when he turned home from close range following an Antonio effort which was parried away by Fraser Forster. The Mexican continued to provide a threat for the visitors and nipped in to nab an unlikely equaliser from close range with 17 minutes remaining.

 

Southampton pressed for a winner but it looked unlikely until referee Lee Mason adjudged Zabaleta to have fouled Yoshida inside the box.

Austin, who admitted afterwards he was surprised the penalty was awarded, fired home to claim all three points and leave the Hammers with no points from their opening two games.