Southampton secured their fourth win in their past five matches as they defeated West Ham United 1-0 at St Mary's on Saturday.
The home side opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes, with Victor Wanyama's low cross picking out Maya Yoshida, who finished powerfully from close range.
West Ham were handed an opportunity to come back into the contest when Wanyama was sent off in the 54th minute for a crude tackle on Hammers playmaker Dimitri Payet.
However, the visitors were unable to capitalise on the one-man advantage with new signing Emmanuel Emenike missing the chance to equalise when he headed wide of the target late in the contest.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Southampton: 1 (Maya Yoshida 9')
West Ham United: 0 (red card: Victor Wanyama 54')
St Mary's Stadium, Southampton (29,161)
TALKING POINTS
Southampton moved into seventh place on the Premier League ladder and closed the gap to the sixth-placed Hammers to just two points. Given their recent run of good form, the Saints will be optimistic of their chances of securing a Europa League spot come season's end.
West Ham had 65% of possession and 18 shots at goal, but lacked the clinical finishing required to score an equaliser against a short-handed Saints outfit.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Southampton visit the Liberty Stadium to face Swansea City next Saturday, while West Ham travel to Carrow Road to take on Norwich City.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Great performance from the lads another clean sheet what a finish @MayaYoshida3#wemarchon
— Charlie Austin (@chazaustin9) February 6, 2016
Happy with our fifth successive clean sheet. We maintain our push for a European place! #wemarchonpic.twitter.com/DXEh7KJolL
— Ronald Koeman (@RonaldKoeman) February 6, 2016
Great 3points! Thank you all for great support tonight Everyone who love Saints! #saintsfcpic.twitter.com/K0ynUudEl9
— MAYA YOSHIDA (@MayaYoshida3) February 6, 2016
QUOTES CORNER
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman was pleased with the way his side responded after Wanyama's sending off:
"I'm very pleased with the final result. It was a difficult game from the start, more difficult after the red card to Victor Wanyama.
"But even with one less on the pitch we had the best chances to score a second. We showed very good defensive composure, good defending. I don't remember one big chance [for West Ham]."
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic was upset with his side's lack of cutting edge:
"First I would like to congratulate Southampton. They were very good at defending in the box. They deserve this.
"We did not create enough. Our crosses were quite poor, they defended really well. When you lose a game like this, we are gutted.
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
3 - Victor Wanyama has become the first player since Wes Brown in 2013/14 to be sent off three times in the same season. Ejected.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 6, 2016
