2. Substitutes rise to the challenge
West Ham United used 17 players in the Boxing Day win at Southampton, and all 17 played their part in securing a welcome win and clean sheet.
With Łukasz Fabiański suffering a concussion in a collision while bravely punching clear a Southampton corner on the half-hour, Julen Lopetegui was permitted to make six changes at St Mary’s Stadium.
Alphonse Areola replaced Fabiański and kept his goal intact, while further first-half injuries suffered by Maximilian Kilman and Carlos Soler led to early opportunities for Jean-Clair Todibo and Edson Álvarez, who both impressed.
In the second half, Lopetegui sent on Crysencio Summerville, who went close to scoring, and defenders Aaron Cresswell – for his 300th Premier League appearance – and Vladimír Coufal, who helped see the game out.
3. Cresswell hits Premier League appearance landmark
With his second-half substitute appearance at Southampton, Aaron Cresswell became just the second West Ham United player to make 300 Premier League appearances for the Club.
The defender, who turned 35 earlier this month, showed his value and experience to help the Hammers record a welcome win at St Mary’s Stadium.
Ten-and-a-half years since he debuted in Claret and Blue, Cresswell brought up his top-flight triple century with his 110th victory and 63rd clean sheet in the competition.
The No3 joins a very small and illustrious group of just two players who have played 300 Premier League games for the Club, with the other being Cresswell’s long-time teammate and friend Mark Noble.
Overall, the Liverpool-born player ranks 26th on the all-time appearance list in all competitions with 356 to his name.
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