West Ham suffer FA Cup misery, Spurs held at Southampton

Players of West Ham United look dejected during during the FA Cup fourth round against West Bromwich Albion, London, UK, January 25, 2020. /VCG Photo

West Ham crashed out of the FA Cup as their former manager Slaven Bilic led West Bromwich Albion to a surprise 1-0 win, while Tottenham were held to a 1-1 draw by Southampton in Saturday's fourth round action.

Albion boss Bilic, sacked by the Hammers in 2017, made eight changes as he prioritized the Championship leaders' push to return to the Premier League.

But Albion took a shock lead at the London Stadium when Conor Townsend drilled in his first goal for the club after nine minutes.

West Bromwich Albion's Conor Townsend (L) celebrates after scoring a goal during the FA Cup fourth round against West Ham United, London, UK, January 25, 2020. /VCG Photo

West Ham, struggling in the top-flight under new boss David Moyes and now without a win in four games, were given a lifeline when West Brom's Semi Ajayi was sent off in the 72nd minute after his push earned a second yellow card.

Sebastien Haller should have equalized with a headed chance and Manuel Lanzini then dragged his shot wide, but Albion held on.

Sebastien Haller of West Ham United (R) in action during the FA Cup fourth round against West Bromwich Albion, London, UK, January 25, 2020. /VCG Photo

West Ham were jeered off by their furious fans, while Croatian Bilic, who also played for the east Londoners, celebrated a sweet success with his Albion players.

"We put a strong team out. I was well aware it was a home tie so I wanted to try to make it work, but on the day we did not play well enough," Moyes said.

"We gave up opportunities in the early part of the game and they got their goal. Too many poor passes and not enough good play."

At St Mary's, Christian Eriksen was left out amid reports in Italy suggesting the Tottenham midfielder has agreed a move to Inter Milan, while Gedson Fernandes made his full debut for Jose Mourinho's men.

Tottenham's last visit to Southampton was a painful one, with Harry Kane suffering a torn hamstring in a Premier League defeat on New Year's Day, a clash that saw Mourinho embroiled in a touchline row with a member of the Saints' coaching staff.

Mourinho's side struck in the 58th minute on their return to the south-coast.

Danny Ings of Southampton (C) shoots as he is put under pressure by Son Heung-Min (R) and Hugo Lloris (L) of Tottenham Hotspur during the FA Cup fourth round match against Southampton FC, Southampton, UK, January 25, 2020. /VCG Photo

South Korea forward Son Heung-min fired home from Erik Lamela's pass for his 12th goal of the season.

But Southampton hit back to equalize through Sofiane Boufal's powerful strike from Danny Ings' cross in the 87th minute.

"They are a good team. They put some pressure on us in the last minutes and scored. But we are alive," Mourinho said.

"We don't need one more match but we have it so we are going to fix it. It's better to draw than to be out."

(With input from AFP)