Sam Allardyce praises West Ham desire

Manager Sam Allardyce says "the desire to close the opposition down" resulted in an improved second-half showing that gave West Ham a 4-1 Premier League win over Southampton.

After "playing poorly" before the break, Mark Noble's opening goal "lifted everybody" with Kevin Nolan converting Yossi Benayoun's "fantastic" ball two minutes later.

Saints' captain Adam Lallana pulled one back before Noble got his second from the spot, with the "best goal of the game" being scored in the 87th minute by Modibo Maiga.

The win moves the Hammers up to seventh with 14 points from eight games but Allardyce cautions of a "tough month" of fixtures ahead.