The difference was that West Ham just looked a little bit cannier than Southampton in the areas that mattered. It was a dreadful game, high on tension and low on quality, but it was not a surprise that the points belonged to the more robust side.
Southampton, who had more of the ball and a few decent chances, had fallen short. West Ham, who needed the VAR to confirm that Nayef Aguerd’s winning goal was onside, had not impressed. But they had done enough.
