West Ham United may have wished their first game since the 3-0 defeat to Burnley was taking place anywhere but the London Stadium.
A loss that was exacerbated by the excessive demonstrations of their disgruntled fan-base, the club were keen to ensure that no such incident would occur when Southampton came to London this afternoon.
Although David Moyes was wary that such scenes could repeat themselves, pictures and reports from the London Stadium suggest they were at pains to ensure football would be the primary story today.
The focus of much attention after a number of fans made it onto the pitch last week, this week they were equipped with football boots and protective eye-wear.
West Ham stewards have been equipped with re-enforced safety goggles and football boots for today's game.https://t.co/oCptVYeYr5 pic.twitter.com/adr5DkWIuZ
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 31, 2018
Further photos demonstrated the sheer number of stewards that the club were using for today's tie.
The new line of stewards around the London Stadium looks veeeeery creepy: pic.twitter.com/vLiDB13wSG
— Alex Keble (@alexkeble) March 31, 2018
Eens kijken of Wesley Hoedt en de zijnen de zeepbel van West Ham kunnen doorprikken in het London Stadium pic.twitter.com/NB7axNZHmo
— Patrick v IJzendoorn (@IJzendoornV) March 31, 2018
Be warned: anyone trying to run onto the pitch at the London Stadium this afternoon is likely to get a very large flag shoved up their arse #COYI #WHUFC pic.twitter.com/UTbhkMnULG
— Graham Dudman (@GrahamDudman) March 31, 2018
More stewards than fans in @LondonStadium wonder why? @WestHamUtd #COYI #WHUSOU pic.twitter.com/OzX9BS2wEK
— Liam Kelleher (@LiamKelleher66) March 31, 2018
According to the a BBC report, "an extra £60,000 has been spent on additional security for this match alone."
One of their reporters at the ground revealed how he had "passed a row of riot police with shields on my way in."
Thankfully, there has been no issues thus far, and, as the game moves toward half-time, West Ham find themselves 2-0 ahead.
