Jan Bednarek struck late to secure a 3-2 win for Southampton in east London which will seriously dent West Ham United’s European hopes.
The Hammers have won just once since beating Liverpool at the London Stadium at the start of November and are sliding further and further away from the Champions League conversation.
Bednarek celebrates his winner with the travelling Southampton fansGetty
Three straight defeats in the top-flight is simply not good enough for David Moyes, but the Saints will be jubilant after collecting just their second away win of the season.
Southampton took the lead after only eight minutes when Mohamed Elyounoussi finished from the edge of the penalty area.
Kyle Walker-Peters was allowed to reach the edge of the box and pick out a square ball to the Norwegian winger, who calmly slotted home from 18 yards.
Elyounoussi could have added a second after half an hour when he collected Nathan Redmond’s pass and skipped around Craig Dawson, but his finish was too close to Lukasz Fabianski.
Antonio equalised for the hosts just four minutes after coming onGetty
West Ham were almost gifted a equaliser when Bednarek’s ill-judged pass across the pitch was intercepted by Nikola Vlasic but the Croatia frontman, who is still searching for his first goal since joining the Hammers in August, could not beat Saints goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
Home boss David Moyes had seen enough by half-time and hauled off Vlasic and Pablo Fornals, sending on Michail Antonio – back from a spell out with Covid-19 – and Manuel Lanzini.
The move paid instant dividends with Antonio pouncing from a corner after Dawson headed Jarrod Bowen’s delivery back across goal.
But Dawson was at fault when Saints went back in front on the hour, the defender being out-paced by Armando Broja before bringing him down on the edge of the box.
Ward-Prowse stepped up after VAR awarded Southampton a penaltyGetty 
Benrahma equalised yet again, but it was not enough for their flat performanceGetty
Referee Kevin Friend consulted the pitch-side monitor before awarding the spot-kick, which was clinically dispatched by James Ward-Prowse.
West Ham hauled themselves level again four minutes later when the industrious Bowen got free down the right and crossed for Said Benrahma to sweep home.
However, when Ward-Prowse swung in a free-kick with 20 minutes remaining, Bednarek got above Dawson and Tomas Soucek to put the visitors in front again.
Southampton have developed an unhappy knack of losing the lead under boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, but they were not about to throw it away for a third time – despite some late West Ham pressure.
Arthur Masuaku had the hosts’ best late chance with a shot which flew over as Moyes suffered more festive frustration.
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