West Ham’s FA Cup run was brought to an end by Southampton as the Hammers made a poor start to a season defining run.
Southampton managed to hold on through a shaky opening half an hour during which West Ham moved through their much-changed hosts with relative ease.
Having hardly threatened Alphonse Areola’s goal, the Saints took the lead through a stunning Romain Perraud strike, the full-back collecting the ball from Kyle Walker-Peters in space on the left before firing into the far corner from 30 yards.
Southampton sent on Armando Broja and Stuart Armstrong at the break in a bid to kick on but saw their lead cancelled out by Michail Antonio, poking home following Willy Caballero’s fumble from a corner.
Just as he had done on Boxing Day, Broja won a penalty from Craig Dawson’s clumsy challenge and James Ward-Prowse confidently converted.
Having won the penalty, Broja added his own as he dropped the shoulder to round Zouma and bent a fine effort into the far corner.
Here is how Jack Rosser rated the Hammers at St Mary’s...
Alphonse Areola - 6
Nothing he could have done about Perraud’s stunner or, in truth, the penalty. Made a stunning second-half save from Nathan Redmond.
Ben Johnson - 6
Solid enough defensively but, aside from an effort into the side netting, should have offered more going forward.
Craig Dawson - 5
The defender must never want to see Broja again. For the second time this season Dawson was undone by the striker and conceded a cheap penalty.
Signed ✍️ Sealed ✉️ Delivered ✅@SouthamptonFC @armandobroja9#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/ZfL8t86QIe
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 2, 2022
Kurt Zouma - 7
Impressive in the middle of the back three once more.
Issa Diop - 7
In the right place to hook the ball across to Antonio for the goal and did well at the back.
Pablo Fornals - 6
Worked tirelessly in the wing-back role while also pushing high when the Hammers were on the ball.
Tomas Soucek - 6
Battled well in midfield before being forced off injured. Should have done better with two first-half chances.
Declan Rice - 6
Tidy enough in midfield but not quite at his usual high standards, struggled to drive forward as he has done so dangerously this season.
Jarrod Bowen - 5
A couple of dangerous runs early on but offered far too little after the break.
🦊 in the 📦
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 2, 2022
Watch @Michailantonio as the cross corner comes in...
READY & WAITING.#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/2DQzMKStz7
Manuel Lanzini - 6
Linked play well and tried to get West Ham moving after being dropped deeper alongside Rice.
Michail Antonio - 6
Right place at the right time for his goal but nowhere near dangerous enough from open play.
Substitutes
Said Benrahma - 6
Some nice touches and found good pockets of space but too ineffective.
