Follow live coverage as West Ham United face Southampton today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
West Ham United FC 1 - 1 Southampton FC
West Ham United vs Southampton
17:12Southampton strike late to draw 1-1 away to West Ham. The hosts seemed to be seeing out the match relatively comfortably after Bowen gave them the lead early in the second half, but Ugochukwu had not read the script as he struck late to earn Southampton a point. The game lacked much in the way of quality throughout the match, except for the two goals. The first half lacked much in the way of action, with the only notable chance coming when Sulemana struck the bar in the 31st minute. However, things changed quickly after the break, as on the counter, West Ham took the lead as Bowen cut inside onto his left foot just inside the penalty area in the 47th minute to make it 1-0. West Ham would then control much of the second half, but again neither side were able to create much of note. As the game entered the final few minutes, West Ham seemed content with the result and started making defensive substitutes and camping on the edge of their penalty area. This invited Southampton forward. A surging run into the box by Walker-Peters created panic in stoppage time, and he attempted to cross the ball, but it was blocked. However, it only fell to Ugochukwu, who struck the ball on the volley into the bottom corner of the goal to make it 1-1. A draw seemed like a fair result, as neither side controlled the ball, with West Ham having 51.3% of possession. While neither side created much in the way of goalscoring chances. West Ham would only have an xG of 0.82 from their 12 shots, with four on target, while Southampton would only have an xG of 0.75 from their 15 shots, with four on target. West Ham’s run without a win now stretches to six matches, with them looking to put that right next time out away to Brighton. While Southampton will host Fulham next weekend as they continue their aim of not being the worst Premier League side ever, having drawn level today with the points total Derby County got in 2008.
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:55FULL TIME! WEST HAM 1-1 SOUTHAMPTON
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:52Goal Lesley Chimuanya Ugochukwu
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:49Five minutes of added time for Southampton to find an equaliser.
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:48Southampton are playing the ball around the edge of the West Ham penalty area, while the hosts just maintain their shape and deny the visitors any space. West Ham confident they can clear any ball into the box while Southampton seem devoid of confidence and unwilling to play a cross into the West Ham area.
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:44Ward-Prowse is replaced by rhe more defence minded Mavropanos as West Ham look to see the game out.
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:44Substitution Jarrod Bowen Evan Joe Ferguson
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:44Substitution Taylor Jay Harwood-Bellis Ross Cameron Stewart
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:43Substitution Ryan Phelim Manning Welington Damascena Santos
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:42WHAT A MISS! A golden chance goes begging for Southampton. A long free kick forward by Ramsdale was met by the head of either Bednarek and Stephens as they challenged on the edge of the penalty area for it. The ball was flicked on toward Dibling and he seemed for all the world that he was going to slot it past Areola. However, his shot ballooned over the top of the goal, and he was just left a frustrated figure after missing his effort.
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:41Yellow Card Maximilian William Kilman
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:38Substitution Niclas Füllkrug Tomáš Souček
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:37Substitution Emerson Palmieri dos Santos Oliver James Scarles
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:36West Ham are camped on the edge of their penalty area, just inviting pressure from Southampton. Whether the visitors can find a way through is another question, as they have not shown that ability throughout the season, only scoring 23 goals in the Premier League this campaign.
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:33GREAT SAVE! Areola got down sharply to deny an effort by Stephens. The ball was half cleared by West Ham to the edge of the penalty area to Stephens. The defender on the half volley struck a shot, it was controlled and looked destined for the corner of the net, but the West Ham keeper got down to deny him.
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:33Substitution Mohammed Kudus Luis Guilherme Lira dos Santos
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:32Substitution Kamaldeen Sulemana Tyler-Jay Robert Dibling
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:31West Ham are seemingly happy to play on the counter now, with the pace of Kudus and Bowen a dangerous tool that could hurt Southampton, as the visitors look for an equaliser.
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:27FOUL! A second West Ham goal is ruled out for a foul on Ramsdale. A corner was swung into a dangerous area and the keeper went to claim, but he was pushed in the back by Fullkrug, who then headed the ball home with the net empty. The referee spotted the nudge by the German and awarded a free kick.
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:26Substitution Ebere Paul Onuachu Cameron Desmond Archer
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:26The West Ham wide men have come to life this second half. Kudus is driving with purpose at the Southampton defence while Bowen, aside from the goal is holding the attention of defenders freeing up space for other players, while creating chances for himself and his teammates.
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:22Since the half time break West Ham have been completely dominant, controlling 72.4% of possession. Key to this strangle hold of the ball through out the match has been Ward-Prowse, who has completed everyone of his 54 passes so far.
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:17As Southampton chase the game, space is opening up in their defence and but for last ditch challenges at the moment West Ham could have found another goal. Kudus has come to life since the goal, due to the space opening up behind Walker-Peters.
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:16Southampton are now committing more men to their attacks, leaving only the three central defenders back as they go in search of an equaliser.
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:13That goal has seemingly given the West Ham players a new burst of life, as they seem to be quicker in the press and sharper with their passing and attacking movement.
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:11West Ham United have a record of W5, D0, L0 when scoring the opening goal at home in the Premier League this season, while Southampton have a record of W0, D1, L20 when conceding the opening goal in the Premier League this season.
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:06Assist Niclas Füllkrug
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:05Goal Jarrod Bowen
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:03Southampton gets the game back under way.
West Ham United vs Southampton
16:01Southampton have looked the more dangerous of the two sides after a goalless first half. Neither side has created any real chances of note, despite Southampton striking the bar, but this was more an opportunistic half chance. West Ham have gone about looking to control possession, with the hosts having 56.7%. In attack they are looking to play slowly, as they look to find space around the edge of the box to create something but have been unable to do so. They have only managed to create an xG of 0.3 from their five shots, with two of these being on target. Meanwhile Southampton have looked to hit West Ham on the counter, and while this approach has not brought about a goal to take the lead, there are encouraging signs as they have had the better of the opportunities in the game, as Sulemana struck the bar and Walker-Peters came close with his dragged effort. They have had an xG of 0.36 from their seven attempts, with one of them being on target.
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:55West Ham and Southampton enter the interval scoreless. Neither side has created anything of real note to break the 0-0 deadlock, with Sulemana coming closest as he struck the bar from a half chance. From the off the game settled into a predictable pattern with West Ham looking to control possession, building up their attacks slowly looking for a weakness in Southampton, while the hosts were defending in two rigid lines ready to break quickly and exploit the space behind the hosts. The first chance came in the fourth minute, as Ramsdale got down quickly to deny Fullkrug. The German got ahead of the Southampton defender to touch the ball goalwards from a cross but could not divert it past Ramsdale. The match would then be a slow burn as both sides created little to nothing until the 26th minute when Walker-Peters struck an effort across the goal from the right-hand side of the penalty area. Only five minutes later Southampton struck the bar from a half chance as the ball was bouncing around in the penalty area. It then fell to Sulemana on the half volley, but the attacker could only hit the bar with his effort always rising. The two sides then played out the final 15 minutes with no real quality or cutting edge in the final third, something both sides will look to address in the second half.
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:48HALF TIME! WEST HAM 0-0 SOUTHAMPTON
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:47Manning launches a long throw into the penalty area, with Southampton committing players forward before the break, but it is easily cleared and comes to nothing.
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:46Potter will be thinking about changes at the break in attack as his side has offered very little cutting edge, while Southampton will be hoping to continue their performance in the second half.
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:44Fullkrug is looking an incredibly isolated figure at the head of the West Ham attack. West Ham are playing the ball around the box without putting any crosses in for the German to attack. He is also not getting involved in the build up of any West Ham attacks, as noticed in the incredibly few touches he has had to this point, only nine touches, and five passes.
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:41Manning’s free kick straight into the arms of Areola was Southampton’s first shot on target of the match. The visitors are getting closer to opening the scoring.
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:36West Ham are struggling to deal with the swift counter attacks from Southampton. While West Ham may be in control of possession, they seem powerless in defending counters. This is part due to their commitment of so many players to the attack, with them failing to get back into defensive positions quick enough.
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:36Yellow Card Ebere Paul Onuachu
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:35OFF THE BAR! Sulemana almost gave Southampton the lead. The ball was bouncing around in the West Ham penalty area after a shot from just outside the area was blocked by a West Ham defender before landing at the feet of Sulemana. The attacker struck the ball first time on the half volley towards goal. His effort was always rising but it so nearly hit the net as it bounced off the top corner of the bar. He probably should have hit the target from 10-yards out, straight in front of goal but again it is encouraging for the visitors.
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:31West Ham have had a lot of the ball on the edge of the Southampton penalty area, but have created little to nothing. Their final pass has let them down and there is not the space for one of their creative players to make something happen.
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:29SO CLOSE! Southampton almost take the lead as the ball was quickly worked across the pitch from the left-hand side to the right. Sulemana played the ball in field to Fernandes on the edge of the penalty area. As he looked like he was going to shot at goal with three West Ham players closing him down, he knocked it wide to the on-rushing Walker-Peters, who took one touch to steady himself before firing across goal. Unfortunately for him the ball went wide of the post and the score remains level.
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:24Calls for a penalty. The referee waves them away pretty quickly, but sections of the crowd were hoping it was a way to give the hosts the lead. The ball did strike the arm of Ugochukwu as he slid in to block the cross but it only did so as it bounced off his leg beforehand.
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:23Yellow Card Vladimír Coufal
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:23OFFSIDE! A great chance for Southampton if not for the offside flag. Sulemana almost bent his run to perfection to get in behind the West Ham defence, but his foot strayed beyond the last defender. He did go on to miss the chance as he took too much time on the ball on the six-yard box allowing Areola to narrow the angle and his body behind the shot before the assistant referee signalled for an offside.
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:18Southampton move forward and have their first attempt at goal. Sulemana with a shot from the edge of the box, but the effort is blocked by West Ham, and it goes for a corner; encouraging from the visitors.
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:13West Ham have been in complete control of possession, holding 65% of it to this point.
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:11Southampton are unable to get out of their own half, their entire defence and midfield are sat on the edge of their box, holding their position, fearful of West Ham finding the space to create something. The hosts are remaining patient, confident they will eventually create a notable chance.
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:09West Ham have taken confidence from the Fullkrug’s early effort, as they can sense that Southampton are panicked and shaky when West Ham move towards goal.
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:07GREAT SAVE! Ramsdale gets down sharply and bats Fullkrug’s effort away at the near post. The German got in front of the Southampton defender at the near post, getting a touch on a low cross from Paqueta, directing it goalwards, but he is denied by the English goalkeeper from giving West Ham the lead.
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:04Southampton have started the brighter of the two sides, as they have looked to attack West Ham down the wings at pace, but did not produce any chance at goal.
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:01West Ham get the game under way.
West Ham United vs Southampton
15:01The teams are out on the pitch, with both desperate for a win. This promises to be cracker.
West Ham United vs Southampton
14:42As for Southampton, Albert Gronbaek and Charlie Taylor remain sidelined with respective tendon and hip injuries, Onuachu has got over an ankle problem. Downes has returned to the starting line up after serving a two-match suspension. The Saints have approached the game woth three central defenders to tighten things up, as they have faced 225 shots on target in the Premier League this season, more than any other side. They are one of only two teams on record since 2003-04 to be facing 7+ shots on target per game (exactly 7 this season), along with Sheffield United last season (7.1).
West Ham United vs Southampton
14:37West Ham's Aaron Cresswell has missed the last two games with a muscle injury and remains sidelined along with Crysencio Summerville (thigh) and Michail Antonio (leg), while Aaron Wan-Bissaka was deemed not fit enough after being assessed following a toe issue through the week. West ham have gone with Fullkrug up front, with the German hoping to add more danger up front, as since Potter took over West Ham only Southampton (111) and Leicester (112) have attempted fewer shots than the Hammers (114). Indeed, only Leicester (33) have registered fewer shots on target than Potter’s side (34) in the same period.
West Ham United vs Southampton
14:31SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: Alex McCarthy, Joe Aribo, Will Smallbone, Ross Stewart, James Bree, Nathan Wood, Cameron Archer, Tyler Dibling, Welington
West Ham United vs Southampton
14:31SOUTHAMPTON (3-5-2): Aaron Ramsdale; Jack Stephens, Jan Bednarek, Taylor Harwood-Bellis; Ryan Manning, Mateus Fernandes, Lesley Ugochukwu, Flynn Downes, Kyle Walker-Peters; Kamaldeen Sulemana, Paul Onuachu
West Ham United vs Southampton
14:31WEST HAM SUBS: Lukasz Fabianski, Aaron Cresswell, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Luis Guilherme, Guido Rodriguez, Tomas Soucek, Evan Ferguson, Andy Irving, Ollie Scarles
West Ham United vs Southampton
14:31WEST HAM (4-2-3-1): Alphonse Areola; Emerson, Maximilian Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo, Vladimir Coufal; James Ward-Prowse, Carlos Soler, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen; Niclas Fullkrug
West Ham United vs Southampton
14:30Southampton are also desperate for a victory to ensure that they don’t finish as the worst Premier League side in history. Currently Derby County hold the record with only having 11 points by the end of a season; Southampton have six games remaining to get the necessary two points to achieve more points than Derby. Going against them is the fact their current loss percentage of 81% is the highest by any side in a top-flight season in history.
West Ham United vs Southampton
14:30West Ham enter this game desperate to correct their poor form, having gone five games without a Premier League victory (D2 L3). Graham Potter’s side should be confident of getting a result against the club languishing at the bottom of the table as their recent record the Saints is relatively impressive, having lost just one of their last 12 Premier League games against Southampton (W8 D3), going down 3-2 at home in December 2021.
West Ham United vs Southampton
14:30Welcome to our coverage of this Premier League fixture between West Ham and Southampton.
West Ham United vs Southampton
13:00Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
