Southampton 2-1 West Ham

Glenn Hoddle made a triumphant start to his career as Southampton boss, with a dramatic victory over West Ham.

The former England manager, who took over at The Dell last week to allow Dave Jones to step down to fight a court case, looked like being out of luck in his first game.

Saints threw away a 1-0 lead when Frank Lampard equalised and West Ham seemed set to claim an away point.

But in a thrilling finale, Hammers defender Gary Charles scored an own goal four minutes time.

And to the delight of The Dell's biggest crowd of the season, Hoddle's new team claimed all three points to move up one place to 16th in the table.

Minor changes

The beginning of the Hoddle regime was more evolution that revolution as the new boss made just two changes - one enforced - to the side last picked by Jones.

Matthew Oakley volleyed wide as Saints began brightly, and Luis Boa Morte caused problems for the visiting defence with his pace and unpredictability.

The former Arsenal striker was denied by keeper Craig Forrest and then shot over from 10 yards out.

But the best chance of the first half fell to a defender, Francis Benali, whose header was cleared off the line by West Ham striker Paulo Wanchope.

The Hammers rarely threatened and Saints made them suffer after the break, Marian Pahars racing clear of a flat-footed defence before beating Forrest with style.

Steve Lomas sent Frank Lampard charging through the middle of the home ranks and he kept his cool before beating advancing keeper Paul Jones.

Just when it seemed Hoddle was going to have to settle for a single point, Charles turned the ball into his own net from Jo Tessem's cross.

Teams:

Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Richards, Benali, Colleter, Tessem, Oakley, Marsden, Boa Morte, Pahars, Davies. Subs: Beattie, Soltvedt, Hughes, Bridge, Moss.

West Ham: Forrest, Ferdinand, Stimac, Margas, Charles, Lomas, Lampard, Cole, Minto, Wanchope, Sinclair. Subs: Bywater, Ruddock, Moncur, Carrick, Keller.

Referee: B Knight (Orpington)