EPL: West Ham lose further ground after Southampton defeat

West Ham United lost further ground in the race for the top four by losing at home to Southampton on Boxing Day.

The hosts started sluggishly and Mohamed Elyounoussi’s opener came far too easily in a first-half during which only Jarrod Bowen emerged with any credit.

From the interval, the home side looked much better with Manuel Lanzini, the previously poor Said Benrahma and Michail Antonio testing Fraser Forster, with the latter scoring his first goal since October.

Then, madness ensued.

James Ward-Prowse converted a penalty after Craig Dawson had brought down Armando Broja only for Benrahma to level within minutes by converting Bowen’s low cross inside the box.

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Amid so much chaos, however, it was the away team who took advantage.

Ward-Prowse’s late set-piece while West Ham were still settling into their shape found Jan Bednarek, who nodded home to condemn David Moyes to a third defeat in a row.