West Ham United fans saw a completely different player as Cheikhou Kouyate was superb in the massive win.
After the incredible scenes during their last home game and with the opposition just the other side of the drop zone line, it is probably not too far-fetched to suggest that Saturday’s clash against Southampton was one that had the potential to be a defining fixture for West Ham’s season.
Defeat would have left the Hammers in the bottom three and knowing that they had been beaten by a side whose only league victory since the end of November had come against West Brom. But David Moyes’ men came to the party in some style at the London Stadium.
An early goal from Joao Mario was swiftly followed by one for Marko Arnautovic. The Austrian – the Irons’ best player since Moyes arrived earlier in the campaign – rounded off the scoring in stoppage-time at the end of the first-half to pile the misery on the Saints.
There were several players who received a barrage of plaudits on social media, but perhaps the most notable praise came for Cheikhou Kouyate, who, like many of his Hammers teammates, has endured a very disappointing campaign.
The midfielder was superb, controlling the midfield battle and ensuring that the home side had the platform to take the game away from their opponents – thus leaving them further in trouble.
And after the game, a number of fans insisted that it was one of the best performances that they have seen from the 28-year-old for a very long time.
Here is the best of the reaction…
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