West Ham’s disappointing start to the season continued yesterday with a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Southampton, although the Hammers can take plenty of positives from their battling performance that got them back into the game.

A disastrous first-half saw them fall two-goals behind and also lose Marko Arnautovic following violent conduct but Slaven Bilic’s ten-man side performed extremely well in the second-half, led by a brace from Javier Hernandez.

Unfortunately, the Hammers left empty-handed as a last-gasp penalty from Charlie Austin condemned West Ham to their second defeat in a row to start this campaign, raising the pressure ahead of their trip to face Newcastle United last weekend.

Despite the defeat, Bilic spoke highly regarding his players and praised their spirit. Quoted by The Evening Standard, the Croatian boss said after the game:

“We lost a point but gained a lot of things after the Manchester United game. Great team spirit; character; we didn’t give up, and showed quality to play with 10 men for such a long period of time. It’s extremely hard, especially when you’re one down.”

“We spoke at half-time and they responded in the best possible way to what we asked of them. I’m gutted, but we gained a lot of things from the performance.”

“Yes, of course (Arnautovic apologised in the dressing room). It’s hard to play for 10 men for such a long period of time.

“We knew what we were getting with Hernandez: a really great player, great character, team player, really enthusiastic. You’re expecting goals from him, but it wasn’t only the goals.”

“At half-time I asked him to be on the left wing, to track back with (Cedric) Soares, and he did that brilliantly. On top of the goals, his determination; he sacrificed for the team in the best possible way.”

West Ham’s problem now though is an inferior goal difference leaves them rooted to the bottom of the table and their task doesn’t get any easier next week as they travel to Tyneside to face Rafael Benitez’ Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.

The Hammers will be desperate to get points on the board ahead of the international break, which will give them something to build on when they finally return to the London Stadium.