Marko on target thanks to Noble
THERE will be a time in the next few years when a West Ham manager will look for the next Mark Noble. He can only be wished all the best.
True, Marko Arnautovic was the man whose two goals against Southampton secured victory in the final home game of the season at the London Stadium.
Southampton had ensured they would avoid relegation seven days earlier with a point against Bournemouth. That battle had seen them expend immense physical and mental energy — and here it showed.
West Ham were superior and Noble ensured this was not going to be a meaningless encounter.
But Noble does not think like that once he puts on the claret and blue shirt.
‘He is my leader,’ said his manager, Manuel Pellegrini. From the first minute until the 78th, when he left the field to a standing ovation, Noble was the hub of the West Ham team.
There were two highlights that captured what Noble is all about. In the 16th minute, he capitalised on a careless pass from Southampton’s Yan Valery to look up and release Arnautovic with a pass that was perfect in weight and direction. One-nil.
In the second half, Southampton briefly revived and Stuart Armstrong eluded any challenges to close in on the penalty area. Any tackle needed to be precise in its timing. Noble produced it.
‘It is his club,’ said Pellegrini. ‘He is a very important player. He is a leader. Mark always gives his maximum.’ As did Noble’s team-mates, including the enigmatic Arnautovic. He has an edge that makes him a folk hero to the fans. They love a bad boy. And the Austria international has provided them with plenty of ammunition. Arms in the air in protest when substituted, an on-off move to China during the winter, no goals since January 5 — and that against Birmingham in the FA Cup.
Yesterday, he was at his most waspish, never giving Southampton a moment’s peace. His reward was the opener and a second to quash any Southampton hopes of a comeback in the last 20 minutes.
‘When he is interested just to play, he is fine,’ Pellegrini said.
He was reluctant to reflect on the issues that have followed Arnautovic. ‘That is the past. It is better to see the last four games.’
Arnautovic made the most of a stroke of bad luck for Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster, who was making his first start since Boxing Day 2017.
Forster had done well, but was unfortunate in the 69th minute when he palmed away a fierce cross on to the head of Arnautovic. The ball went upwards and the West Ham striker had the most simple of chances to finish.
Three minutes later, a poor clearance went to Ryan Fredericks and that was West Ham out of sight.
‘We have given so much over the last months, physically and mentally,’ said Ralph Hasenhuttl, the Southampton manager.
‘Today showed what can happen if we are not at 100 per cent.’
Pellegrini was clear what his objective had been. ‘We wanted to finish with a win here in front of our own fans after victory at Spurs.’ Job done.
West Ham (4-2-3-1): Fabianski 6; Fredericks 6, Balbuena 7, Diop 7, Masuaku 6, Noble 8 (Sanchez 78min), Obiang 6, Diangana 6 (Wilshere 67, 6), Lanzini 6 (Perez 83 5), Antonio 6, Arnautovic 6. Booked: Lanzini. subs (not used): Adrian, Zabaleta, Fernandez, Ogbonna.
soutHampton (4-1-2-3): Forster 7; Valery 5, Stephens 6, Bednarek 6, Bertrand 6; Hojbjerg 6; Lemina 6 (Romeu 75, 6), Armstrong 6 (Ward-Prowse 67, 6); Elyounoussi 6, Long 7, Ings 6 ( Redmond 46, 6). Booked: Romeu. subs (not used): Gunn, Austin, Targett, Ramsay.
Referee: S Atwell 7.