Moyes' big Antonio call
Ahead of the trip to Southampton Michail Antonio had 36 games for club and country under his belt already this season. Had David Moyes decided to rest him at the start of a run of six games in 19 days there would have been few complaints.
As it was, the manager made it appearance number 37 for the striker, which considering his injury record in recent seasons was a bold call from the manager.
In past campaigns, Antonio has struggled with fitness issues but so far this term he has bar the odd niggle remained injury free, even if his form at times could have been reason to drop him.
The decision to start the striker paid off with the Jamaican international ending his six-game goal drought with a close-range effort, one that is sure to help his confidence ahead of a vital few weeks for West ham.
Yarmolenko decision
Despite being in training this week Andriy Yarmolenko was not included in the matchday 20 for the trip to Southampton. The Ukrainian international was understandably not in the team with Moyes confirming earlier in the week that there was no pressure on the 32-year-old to play and it would be his decision if he was in the right frame of mind to compete.
Ahead of the match St Mary's was lit up in the yellow and blue colours of the Ukrainian flag and there was a standing ovation from all corners of the stadium as a message of support was displayed on the screens at either end of the ground.
Yarmolenko would likely only have been on the bench for the Hammers and with his poor form this season is not a huge miss onfield but his absence form the West ham squad is a reminder there are more important things in life than football.
What he, his family and all of Ukraine are going through is unimaginable and certainly puts everything else into perspective.
West Ham priorities
Moyes' team selection was a sign the manager is not prioritising any one competition over the over. The manager named a strong side with only two changes. The first was the expected selection of Alphonse Areola in goal and the other to hand Aaron Cresswell a rest with Issa Diop coming in as a third centre-back and Pablo Fornals reverting to wing-back.
Unlike his Southampton counterpart Ralph Hasenhuttl, who made nine changes to his starting XI, Moyes retained nine starters from the league win over Wolves in a clear indication he is out to do well in all competitions.
With a trip to Liverpool on Saturday and next week's Europa League last-16 first leg against Sevilla, Moyes could have been forgiven for resting a few of his key men.
The fact the manager selected such a strong side is proof he is targeting silverware of any kind with West Ham this season as well as maintaining a European push in the league. As it is after the defeat, West Ham now have just Europe and the Premier League to concentrate on, and despite not wanting to exit the cup it does somewhat alleviate their fixture congestion.
Away support
Despite the horrendous traffic from London to Southampton, the West Ham fans made it in great number to St Mary's after easily selling out their allocation.
Due to it being a cup game the Hammers had almost the entire end behind the goal their side attacked in the second half and made themselves heard. The support was non-stop throughout and they easily outsang the home fans.
Kurt Zouma was once again booed by the opposition support but was serenaded by the Hammers fans with a chant that is sure to upset many. Not that the defender has let any of the noise around him make any difference to his performances with the centre-back once again terrific for the Hammers.
Zouma chants notwithstanding the support was fantastic from the away section and with the next two away trips being to Liverpool and Sevilla the Hammers will need them now more than ever.
Moyes critical of forwards
West Ham had enough chances in the first-half to see themselves through to the next round of the cup but were left to rue their wastefulness in front of goal.
Antonio's goal was one of few bright sparks against Saints, along with Issa Diop's performance, but the poor decision making in the final third cost the Hammers as Moyes pointed out post-match.
"I thought we had opportunities long before they scored the goal to be in front but we lacked quality in the final third," Moyes said.
"We build up well and got good opportunities but our finishing and final pass was so poor, so poor," the manager added.
Scathing stuff from the boss and his players will no doubt have got both barrels as a result of the cup exit.
