Hooiveld is the Saints hero

Jos Hooiveld was the Southampton hero as the newly promoted side stretched their lead at the top of the Championship to five points with a 1-0 win over West Ham.

A record crowd of 32,152 packed in to St Mary’s Stadium for the visit of Sam Allerdyce’s side but it was the home side who came out on top with Hooiveld scoring the only goal of the game past on loan Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia.

“We played some excellent football in the first half and it was a good three points against a team that were in the Premier League last season,” Saints boss Nigel Adkins said. “They are looking to go straight back up and our desire is to get back as well.

“I have been asking the team to score more goals from set-pieces rather from open play and I was pleased when Jos put that one in.

“You could say St Mary’s is a fortress but we know at some stage the run will end.”

Darren O’Dea was also on target but a last minute goal from Coventry’s Richard Wood denied Leeds full points.

Scott McDonald was an unused substitute as Middlesbrough, including Barry Robson and Stephen McManus lost 2-0 at Nottingham Forest.

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