West Ham Held to 1-1 Draw as Southampton Equal Premier League Points Record

Apr, 20 2025

Drama at the London Stadium: West Ham Stunned by Relegated Saints

It’s not often a side, already resigned to relegation, outplays its hosts and rewrites Premier League history. Yet that’s exactly what unfolded at the London Stadium, as Southampton plucked a point out of thin air against beleaguered West Ham.

Barely anyone in the ground was expecting a rousing performance from Southampton. With just 10 points before Saturday, fans and pundits had all but counted them out. Instead, the Saints, under the weight of a bruising season, produced a fighting display that kept their chins up—if not their survival hopes.

The match kicked off with a flat first half that saw tension boil over in the West Ham stands. Supporters, frustrated by a lack of energy and imagination, made their voices heard. A couple of West Ham corners fizzled out, and Areola was nearly left red-faced by a misjudged clearance. Southampton, on the other side, played without the weight of expectation and moved the ball crisply, but failed to finish off the handful of promising chances they carved out.

It only took two minutes after the interval for the mood to shift. Jarrod Bowen, ever the reliable man for a goal, broke the deadlock. Capitalizing on a rapid turnover, Bowen raced clear, shrugged off a hesitant tackle, and slotted past the Southampton keeper for his 10th league goal this campaign. That made it four consecutive seasons Bowen has reached double figures, a level of consistency you don’t often see at West Ham.

But instead of pushing for a second, West Ham seemed uneasy. Key absentees weighed heavy: Michail Antonio’s pace and presence were missing, and Crysencio Summerville’s injury left the midfield short of spark. Managerial tactics leaned on the familiar 3-5-2, with Areola in net and Bowen paired up with raw but promising Oliwier Kudus. The back three looked increasingly nervous as Southampton kept knocking.

For Southampton, relegation had brought a freedom. They controlled nearly 60% of the ball, stifling the home crowd and stretching the West Ham formation, but their attempts often fizzled at the crucial moment. It wasn’t until deep into stoppage time that their pressure finally paid off. Chaos inside the West Ham box saw the ball bounce a couple of times—nerves all around—before Lesley Ugochukwu smashed in his first English football goal. The away end erupted as the Saints snatched a 1-1 draw with the very last kick of the game.

Record Equals Infamy: Derby’s Shadow Looms Over Saints

With that point, Southampton reached 11—matching Derby County’s 2007-08 feat for the fewest top-flight points in a Premier League season. While the mood was mixed among the travelling supporters, Southampton’s determined play brought at least a hint of pride despite their record. Their ability to control possession, even with nothing left to play for, will give their fans reason to hope for a swift return to the top flight.

The result left West Ham in a precarious position. Still 16th and just a single point behind Tottenham, the tension remains. With just a handful of games left and their Premier League lives not quite secure, the Hammers were left ruing a chance missed—not just for three points, but for a little breathing space.

Football rarely reads the script. Southampton, lambasted for months, showed more heart than most expected. West Ham, with Premier League safety not yet certain, looked over their shoulders for a little longer. For now, both teams—one fallen, one still teetering—share the spotlight in a match no one will quickly forget.