West Ham United had Jussi Jaaskelainen to thank as the Finnish goalkeeper made a string of impressive saves to ensure that his side left Southampton with a point from their Premier League clash at St Mary's Stadium.
Mohamed Diame had the game's first attempt, as he twisted and turned inside the penalty area, only to be denied by a firm Artur Boruc save.
© Getty Images
Jay Rodriguez, reinstated to the Saints starting lineup, beat Guy Demel on the left flank and cut the ball back for Pablo Osvaldo, whose goalbound effort was saved magnificently by a sprawling Jaaskelainen.
West Ham thought that they had taken the lead when Kevin Nolan turned the ball home after Matt Jarvis had been thwarted by Boruc, only for the goal to be ruled out. The referee's assistant adjudged Jarvis to be offside, although replays suggested otherwise.
Hammers manager Sam Allardyce became further incensed when Morgan Schneiderlin escaped punishment for a late challenge on Diame.
Ravel Morrison, who was West Ham's only change from the side that lost 1-0 to Stoke City, saw his curling effort dip just over the crossbar with half time approaching.
Southampton began the second half a revitalised side, as Rickie Lambert's diving header from a corner came back off the near post, before Adam Lallana wasted a good opportunity with a heavy first touch that allowed Jaaskelainen to smother the ball.
The Finnish goalkeeper had to be alert to keep out Schneiderlin minutes later when the midfielder timed his late run to perfection and sent a volley towards to bottom corner.
© Getty Images
Lambert was the next Saints player to be denied by the goalkeeper, as his curling effort from the left flank was pushed away.
However, the best chance of the half fell to James Collins with just five minutes remaining.
When Southampton failed to clear their lines from a cross, the ball was cut back to the Welsh central defender, but he could do no more than blaze the ball over the bar from just 12 yards out.
Kristian Johnson
