Beattie leaves West Ham shattered

West Ham 0 Southampton 1

West Ham 0 Southampton 1

James Beattie struck an injury-time winner to shatter West Ham and leave them rooted to the foot of the Premiership table tonight.

The Hammers threw everything but the proverbial kitchen sink at Southampton but still failed to produce their first win at Upton Park in the Premiership this season.

Saints arrived for this match only half an hour before kick-off after they were caught in traffic, but the Hammers failed to capitalise on their pressure and were sunk by Beattie's strike 71 seconds into injury time.

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Paolo Di Canio picked up a knock and was replaced by John Moncur with 14 minutes remaining, just as his team survived a good shout for a Saints penalty.

Beattie was charged to the floor by Repka as he chased Ormerod's pass, but referee Riley again waved away the visitors' appeals.

West Ham's hard work almost came undone with seven minutes remaining as James got in a tangle with Delap before scrambling the ball clear.

Southampton thought they might nick a goal and with two minutes remaining James saved well from Fernandes, before Strachan wasted some time in the final minute by replacing Fernandes with Paul Telfer.

At the final whistle there were demonstrations from the frustrated fans, but they aimed their anger at chairman Terence Brown and the board of directors rather than Roeder, who should survive to fight another day.

PA