SOUTHAMPTON were saved from more Premier League misery in shocking fashion.
Lesley Ugochukwu struck in the 93rd minute to stun West Ham, grab a point and match Derby’s record as the worst Prem team of all time.
It is not much consolation in this terrible season, but it will mean a lot to this Saints squad and interim boss Simon Rusk.
And it will hurt Graham Potter no end.
Jarrod Bowen’s second-half goal looked to have secured a first win since February for the Hammers, but they are now without one in six.
And questions are being asked of their manager.
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Potter has tightened West Ham up since replacing Julen Lopetegui in January, but there has been little to get excited about.
He will point to a lopsided squad as an explanation, that and the need for a pre-season to get things going.
But the fans, and his bosses, will want to see something to get excited about for next term before then – and this certainly did not help.
Niclas Fullkrug was handed his first start since returning from injury and the German should have had the Hammers ahead after just four minutes.
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Lucas Paqueta played a ball to the near post where the striker nipped ahead of Jan Bednarek and was well stopped by Aaron Ramsdale.
That was about it for West Ham’s attacking intent across a flat 45 minutes in which Saints were the better side.
Kyle Walker-Peters flashed a big chance wide of the far post before Kamaldeen Sulemana struck the bar.
West Ham were sent down the tunnel to a chorus boos and must have emerged from it with some loud words from Potter ringing in their ears as they were ahead within minutes.
From a Southampton corner, West Ham finally got going and looked dangerous.
Mohammed Kudus collected the ball just inside his own half and fed Fullkrug.
The striker turn and found England man Bowen charging forwards to his right. The Hammers skipper collected, cut inside the Saints defence and fired for the far corner.
Ramsdale got a soft hand to the ball but could not stop it finding the back of the net.
Fullkrug’s return has helped the forward line. He has one goal since returning and has given Bowen much-needed support.
But he will need more help next season and, as is always the case at the London Stadium, a new striker is being targeted in the summer.
West Ham played with more life from there, with Jan Bednarek needing to block from Kudus after the hosts had stolen the ball on halfway before Paqueta saw an effort deflected behind by Lesley Ugochukwu.
Southampton had opened up and were suffering because of it.
They were let off conceding a second when Fullkrug was punished for barging Ramsdale at a corner, forcing the keeper to toss the ball into his own net.
Alphonse Areola stopped Jack Stephens’ attempt from the edge of the box as Saints looked for a way back in.
Potter sent on teen winger Luis Guilherme to try and stretch the lead and the Brazilian quickly drew a save from Ramsdale.
But Saints’ own teenager, Tyler Dibling, should have levelled things up with ten minutes to go.
Free in the box and bearing down on goal the forward somehow fired well over the bar.
They kept pushing, however, still playing as Hammers fans groaned at their inability to get out.
Saints were finally rewarded deep into added time after a superb run by Walker-Peters, jinking his way through the Hammers defence.
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The right-back looked to cross low and his ball deflected off Max Kilman, falling perfectly for Ugochukwu to smash home.
It has been a horrendous season on the south coast, which no one will forget anytime soon, but they will not stand alone as the worst team of all time.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
