West Ham crashed to only their second home League defeat of the season in a six-goal thriller at Upton Park as Southampton dented their European chances with Matt Le Tissier scoring yet again to boost his World Cup chances.

Yet while the chant of "Le Tissier for England" rang around the ground from the Southampton faithful, the visitors' win was built on the incredible work-rate of midfielder Carlton Palmer and a double strike from Egil Ostenstad.

The Hammers, who started the day in sixth place believing they needed seven points from their remaining four games, were left shell-shocked as they dominated the game but failed to take their chances in the absence of suspended striker John Hartson and then committed defensive suicide four times over.

The spotlight was clearly on Le Tissier following his wonderful hat-trick for England B against Russia at Loftus Road on Tuesday night.

But the Channel Islander was largely a peripheral figure as West Ham dominated the first half-hour, with striker Samassi Abou twice denied a deserved opener - first when his goal-bound shot cannoned off team-mate Sinclair and then when his delightful back-flick hit the legs of unsuspecting defender Ken Monkou.

And while defender Ian Pearce nudged a chance just wide after a mix-up in the Southampton area, it was French keeper Bernard Lama to whom the home side were indebted for a diving save from a long-range effort from Carlton Palmer.

Yet while West Ham, who had previously only lost to Newcastle in the Premiership at home, should have been 2-0 up, it was Le Tissier who broke the deadlock on 39 minutes.

Full-back Jason Dodd swung over a free-kick from the right and the entire West Ham defence remained rooted to the spot as the ball fell to Le Tissier, in acres of space, 15 yards out.

He connected first-time but his volley hit the face of the right-hand upright. Undeterred, he simply waited for the ball to come back to him and this time made no mistake as his second attempt flew into the back of the net past the despairing dive of Lama.

Two minutes later, however, West Ham were level through Le Tissier's England B team-mate Trevor Sinclair.

The former QPR striker sped through the middle and shot goalwards. Keeper Paul Jones got a hand to the ball yet it rolled agonisingly slowly first against the inside of the post and then over the line as Upton Park held its breath.

West Ham made a less convincing start to the second-half but still had numerous chances to score as they piled forward.

Berkovic was taunted by the Saints fans when he fired a first-time shot well over the bar from close range and then Frank Lampard saw a shot deflected just inches wide of the post.

Still the Hammers failed to make their possession count and they were caught on the break on 63 minutes when Palmer loped forward from midfield and swung in a cross from the right.

Lama should have claimed the ball as he came out but he was beaten to it by Ostenstad, who headed home into the unguarded net.

West Ham introduced striker Paul Kitson after a lengthy injury absence on 70 minutes for Steve Potts and he was given an early chance but scuffed his shot badly.

With 11 minutes left, Southampton went further ahead when Le Tissier was given far too much time on the ball and he rolled the ball into the stride of Palmer as the midfielder broke clear from midfield and finished with aplomb from the edge of the penalty area.

For all their defensive frailties in the absence of suspended centre-back David Unsworth, the Hammers refused to give up and reduced the deficit on 81 minutes.

Lazaridis took a corner on the right and defender Ian Pearce succeeded in heading the ball back across the face of goal for captain Steve Lomas to head home.

Still the action was not over and as the Hammers went all out for the equaliser, they were again vulnerable at the back - and Ostenstad took full advantage.

The Norwegian turned his marker in the area and composed himself before smashing his shot past Lama for his eighth goal of the season - thereby issuing his own World Cup reminder to coach Egil Olsen.

Teams

West Ham: Lama, Potts (Kitson 70), Sinclair, Lomas, Ferdinand, Lazaridis, Lampard, Pearce, Impey, Abou, Berkovic.

Subs Not Used: Forrest, Hodges, Mean, Berthe.

Goals: Sinclair 42, Lomas 82.

Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Palmer, Monkou, Lundekvam, Le Tissier, Oakley, Ostenstad, Benali, Hirst (Basham 77), Gibbens.

Subs Not Used: Moss, Richardson, Williams, Warner.

Booked: Ostenstad.

Goals: Le Tissier 40, Ostenstad 63, Palmer 80, Ostenstad 86.

Att: 25,878

Ref: D J Gallagher (Banbury).