Extra security were called in for West Ham’s game with Southampton after recent crowd trouble but a more positive performance on the pitch helped lift the atmosphere
The London Stadium was a sea of colour as the teams came out for this match. Those colours were fluorescent orange and yellow, representing the uniforms worn by the dozens of extra security and stewarding staff who had been drafted in for the day.
Joe Hart’s goalkeeping kit was in the same bright tones as the tabards, perhaps in a gesture of solidarity. This was a big match for West Ham and everyone knew it. Not only did the nature of the fixture against Southampton make it a relegation six-pointer but after the debacle of the previous home match against Burnley there was a sense of the club’s identity being on the line. Would they – the team, owners and fans - come together or fall apart?
Continue reading...