West Ham have climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone and left Southampton struggling in final place with their tense 1-Zero win.
Morocco defender Nayef Aguerd’s 25th-minute header settled a decent, nervy match on the London Stadium on Sunday between groups who began the day as the underside two in one of many tightest relegation battles in years.
Such is the congested nature of the underside half of the standings that West Ham climbed from 19th place to 14th with the victory.
Southampton, who have not been out of the Premier League since 2011-12, stayed final and are three factors from security with 9 video games remaining.
Aguerd discovered area in a crowded penalty space to go dwelling a curling free kick by Thilo Kehrer, with the objective surviving an extended VAR test for offside.
West Ham had been good worth for the win, with Jarrod Bowen curling towards the crossbar within the 47th minute and Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta taking pictures over from contained in the six-yard field after a nook was flicked on.
There was a late scare for the hosts, although, when tall striker Paul Onuachu — on as an alternative to supply an aerial presence — glanced a header towards the crossbar.
