West Ham United have beaten Southampton 3-1 in the Premier League this afternoon, thanks to goals from Matt Jarvis, Carlton Cole and Kevin Nolan.

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The visitors took the lead after only eight minutes as Maya Yoshida did well to find space in the box, allowing the defender to head home from close range following a crossed ball from Steven Davis.

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The Saints were almost in again minutes later when Rickie Lambert's pass was met by the head of Jay Rodriguez, though the striker saw his effort fly wide to the left of the goal.

Adam Lallana was next to have a go in an opening period dominated by Mauricio Pochettino's men, but the midfielder saw his shot rise over the crossbar.

However, West Ham turned the half around in a crazy five minutes, which began with a Jarvis equaliser in the 20th minute.

Cole then popped in the 23rd minute to put the Hammers in front, with the striker converting from the centre of the box following a corner.

Southampton could have gone into the interval back on level terms had Lambert not seen his header crash back off the left post following Jack Cork's cross.

Luke Shaw tried to force the issue for Southampton after the break, as the full-back sent in a drilled effort from outside of the box, which was saved at the bottom corner of the West Ham goal.

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James Collins did well to get his head onto a cross from Stewart Downing, however the defender headed just over the bar.

The home side made it 3-1 in the 71st minute as Cole picked out the oncoming Kevin Nolan with a headed pass, leaving the midfielder to finish neatly from close range.

The visitors summed up their poor afternoon in front of goal in the closing minutes as Jose Fonte headed over from close range, following an inch-perfect delivery from Shaw.