West Ham United have continued their solid beginning to the season with a 4-1 victory over Southampton at Upton Park.

The Hammers consolidated their position inside the top five thanks to goals from Mark Noble, a Kevin Nolan double and Modibo Maiga as Sam Allardyce's men heaped more misery on Nigel Adkins' Saints.

Noble made it 1-0 a minute into the second half when his 40-yard free-kick evaded all in the box and past Saints keeper Artur Boruc before skipper Nolan tapped home at the back post after some good work by Yossi Benayoun.

Just after the hour-mark, Adam Lallana gave the visitors some hope when he volleyed home past Jussi Jaaskelainen but sanity in East London was soon restored when Jose Fonte handled in the area under pressure from Andy Carroll with referee Neil Swarbrick pointing to the spot.

Nolan stepped up and fired home to make it 3-1 before summer signing Maiga wrapped up proceedings three minutes from time with a left-footed curler.

The Hammers replaced London rivals Tottenham in fifth place with their fourth win of the campaign but it is a different story for fellow promotion-winners Southampton who are 18th following their sixth defeat.

West Ham United: 4 (Mark Noble 46', Kevin Nolan 48'/(p) 72', Modibo Maiga 87') Southampton: 1 (Adam Lallana 63')

Upton Park, London - 34,925

Yellow cards:WHU - Jos Hooiveld 77', Morgan Schneiderlin 81'