Hammers Head Home Victorious In Match-Day 1

Southampton 1-2 West Ham

St.Mary's Stadium (38,753)

Goal Scorers:

Lorenzo Insigne (10)

Alvaro Morata(73)

Inaki Williams(88)

MOTM: Alvaro Morata (1 Goal, 1 Asst)

Alvaro Morata (Pictured) with a man of the match winning display, during West Hams 2-1 Away Victory against Southampton

West Ham United kicked-off Season Two of TFF with a tough trip to Southampton, as the world set it's eyes closely on every game through-out all four divisions, and we saw a clash in the greatest league on earth, the Premier League and TFF, as the Hammers managed by gaffer Nick Justice, took on Paul Thompson's side managed by the experienced fellow English manager Paul Thompson.

It wasn't the first time these two managed faced off, they have previously come to battle several times before. This however was a much anticipated game which put pressure on the shoulders of both prior to kick-off for sure, however it was all set to be a cracking match with both managers having strengthened their line-ups massively prior to the big kick-off.

Let's first of all take a look at how both sides lined-up ahead of the clash at St. Mary's Stadium on the South Coast! We will start with the home side West Ham of whom went with a 4-3-3; A formation used every now and then, and can open up gaps, however it has served them relatively well in pre-season so we can only assume that is why Justice opted to stick with it for the seasons opener. So who started and who missed out?

----------Arrizabalaga(87)--------

Rudiger(89)--Ginter(89)--Jemerson(90)(C)--Gaya(89)

--------Orban(88)--------

Goretzka(91)--------------Lanzini(89)

--Sterling(91)----------I.Williams(89)

-Morata(91)

So as we could see from their line-up prior to kick-off there was a number of changes from the start of last season to now, with the likes of Morata, Sterling, Goretzka and more all arriving towards or at the end of last term.

If we now take a chance to look at the opposition, Southampton managed by Paul Thompson who himself opted for the formation of, 4-2-3-1, we can see both managers were thinking differently prior to kick-off, so let's see how the Saints side started out.

--------Szczesny(90)--------

Gaspar(89)--Van Dijk(90)--Nastasic(90)--Digne(89)

----

Benassi(89)--Arnold(89)--

Berrardi(89)----------- Tadic(90)-----------Insigne(91)

--Jose(89)--

Similar to West Ham United, Southampton themselves also had a fair few debutants in their ranks making so it was always going be a bit of a nervous affair with so many players not yet played a competitive game for their respective teams. So we expected a very open affair when the two sides met, so let's see how it do all unfold, shall we?

First Half

The game began very open as expected in front of a crowd of around 38,000 in the relatively full St. Mary's Stadium; both sides were chomping at the bit, and it was the home side who had the first shot on goal, when a great ball from Max Arnold in the midfield found Lorenzo Insigne in space and there was noting that the young Spanish West Ham keeper Kepa Arrizabalanga could've done prevent his side from going 1-0 down early on. With Just 10-minutes on the clock, this wasn't what Justice wanted in a season they were trying to prove they can achieve what many expected of them.

It was fair end-to- end football in opening 15-minutes or so, despite the early goal from the Saints; both sides could have got a goal, but for some splendid moments from both men between the sticks.

It was the 16th minute when the next big chance came and it was for the away side in the form of English winger Raheem Sterling, who saw his effort sail just over the bar, not long after that another chance went begging for the away side when Leon Goretzka hit the post, surely the Hammers will strike next?

The score-line was to remain at 1-0 as we reached the break of an exciting first half between two brilliant British managers.

H/T: 1-1

The second half kicked-off with the managers voice fresh in the mind of both sets of players, with both managers hoping to go on to an opening day victory in both their first games in charge, it started quick as you could only imagine!

However it was to be quite the shaky affair, with both sides having their chances, and not taking them! Surely the next goal would be vital in this one?

Both sides continued to create brilliant chances, with shots going in on both keepers, who kept both teams very much in contention to get something from the game. West Ham really could've put the game back in their hands when Manuel Lanzini saw his shot saved just after the 60-minute mark, in what really should of been 1-1 in the game. Would that miss come back to bite them?

Luckily West Ham kept their foot on the peddle and continued to create chances and they finally got the ball in the back of the net, 1-1!!! It was new boy Alvaro Morata with the goal, the fans will loved that one, a goal for the new striker, let's hope that continues.

Both sides could've gone on to win the game, with both teams having their chances but it was the Irons who would strike late, with an 88th minute winner through Spurs linked winger Inaki Williams, who was put through from a beautifully placed ball from fellow Spaniard Alavaro Morata! The match winner Inaki Williams, loved it as the travelling fans erupted in mass celebration!!!

A great way for West Ham to start the season, with a win on their travels!

F/T: 1-2

MOTM: Alvaro Morata (West Ham United)

We caught up with the West Ham manager Nick Justice just after the game, and also man of the match Alvaro Morata... Here is what both had to say on the game.

Here is what the gaffer Nick Justice, had to say after he saw his side win 2-1 away from home to Southampton, "We knew it was going to be a hard fought game prior to the seasons kick-off, I'm here and loving the long term project. We went into this game on the back of a decent pre-season and some solid training sessions and we felt very much so prepared as a team ahead of kick-off and even more so after the game had finished, and it showed with us nabbing a late winner and showing our true abilities and strength over the full 90-minutes

We saw a few chances go begging tonight, that perhaps on another night we may have put into the back of the net and sealed the game in our favour much before the final few minutes, none the less we came away with a victory at this early stage and now we must have one eye on our next opponents Hull City, who themselves got an amazing draw against Arsenal in their opening fixture and have a great manager and friend of mine in charge in Dom Latouche, a top manager who will know exactly where he and his side should be come the end on season, so we go again against a strong team and again go out for all three points!

All the lads done well out on the pitch tonight, but a big shout out to the man of the match Alvaro Morata who struck a beautiful goal and a lovely assist! But in all honesty I'm proud of all my lads tonight."

So as you can see it appears the gaffer comes away super happy with a win away from home against Southampton and now has one eye on his sides home match against Hull City on Thursday! Also after the game we managed to catch-up with the goalscorer and man of the match and hour, Alvaro Morata, here was what the big Spanish striker had to say on the game...

"I'm delighted with my performance, and how we played as a team tonight, I'm delighted with my first league goal and also assist of the season, and hope that it can continue and that as a team we continue to grow. I'm delighted to get the man of the match and as I say I hope this game can put us in a good way, and that the results continue and as a team we can pick up more points along the way!"

That's all from us, enjoy the read...thanks lads