It started so brightly as debutant Manolo Gabbiadini lashed home a sensational strike on 12 minutes to give Saints the lead.
But then it all fell apart - mainly because of some really bad first-half defending.
Maya Yoshida and Jack Stephens were split open just two minutes after Saints had taken the lead, allowing an unmarked Andy Carroll to slot home to make it 1-1.
Things then got even worse for Saints, as Pedro Obiang's low effort bounced through a crowded box and past a rooted Fraser Forster.
West Ham then wrapped up the three points on 52 minutes as Mark Noble's free-kick deflected off Steven Davis and into the net for 3-1.
The Southern Daily Echo's chief photographer Stuart Martin was at St Mary's Stadium, so check out the pictures above.
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