Southampton opened up a five-point lead at the top of the Championship on Tuesday with a 1-0 victory over second-placed West Ham which maintained the club's 100 percent home record.
Defender Jos Hooiveld scored the only goal in front of a record 32,150 crowd at St Mary's as the south coast club scored a crucial win over their closest title rivals.
The Saints withstood a ferocious late fightback from the Londoners, who hit the woodwork late on through Mark Noble.
Elsewhere Tuesday, Nottingham Forest's new manager Steve Cotterill saw his reign get off to a winning start with a 2-0 win over promotion-chasing Middlesbrough at the City Ground.
However hopes of a new era for the two-time European champions was tempered by the prospect of more uncertainty after owner Nigel Doughty indicated his desire to sell the club earlier Tuesday.
"If I felt a new owner would take this club forwards, I would happily facilitate that, so with this in mind I have appointed Seymour Pierce -- an investment bank in the City which has good experience in dealing in these matters -- to advise me should any offer be forthcoming," Doughty wrote in his programme notes.
Fourth placed Derby's advance up the table was also checked as they were held 2-2 at Reading.
Crystal Palace are fifth after edging past Bristol City 1-0 while Ipswich complete the play-off positions courtesy of a 1-0 win over Portsmouth.
Source: AFP
