Southampton 0 West Ham 0
Travelling back from the Lake District while this was on, but not a lot of excitement to trouble my phone. Dawson had to block a goalbound effort with his head, but it remained goalless at the break. After the interval Antonio had a low effort saved and then McCarthy did really well to tip over Bowen's volley.
Generally though, as Moyes stated, the Hammers' international players such as Rice, Soucek, Coufal, Fornals and now Antonio, seemed off the pace after their exertions for their countries. While the Saints played a clever game be letting West Ham have more possession than usual.
Vlasic came on as a sub but it was the Saints who had the chance to win it, hitting the post through Broja, with the same player having a header cleared off the line by Declan Rice. The game ended terribly with Antonio sent off after 95 minutes. He had already been booked after a wrestling match initiated by Stephens and then made a stupid lunge at Djenepo. Antonio will now miss the Man United league match.
The Irons could have gone top by winning this, but on an off-day we should perhaps be grateful for an away point. It's still West Ham's best start to a PL season since 1999, having gone unbeaten for the first four games. Some interesting selections for Moyes to make in the next busy fortnight. Assume Areola, Zouma, Vlasic and Krol might get games at Dinamo Zagreb, while Bowen will probably play up front against Ronaldo's Manchester United and it would be like Moyes to go with five at the back against United's flair players. Then comes United away in the Carabao Cup and a difficult away game at Leeds. The only good thing to come out of Antonio's red card is that at least his hamstring will get some enforced rest…
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