Positioned next to the Ted Bates statue on St Mary’s outer concourse, the Saints Brass Band boomed out the Rocky theme tune just before kick-off.
Like the Italian Stallion, it seems Ralph Hasenhuttl isn’t going down without a fight.
Who knows what defeat for Southampton would have meant for the Austrian coach here.
Declan Rice drew West Ham level in the second half with a curled strike from outside the box
Rice combined well with Said Benrahma before shooting from outside the penalty box
West Ham are now unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions since losing to Everton
Left-back Romain Perraud gave Southampton the lead earlier in the first half
It wasn’t the victory he wanted, but a draw – after four successive losses – is a start at least.
Is it enough to ensure his position ahead of Wednesday’s south-coast clash against Bournemouth? It’d be harsh to sack him after this gutsy showing.
Who knows, perhaps Hasenhuttl can climb off the canvas like Sylvester Stallone to triumph in his own battle for survival.
Perraud’s 20th minute opener but the Saints ahead against a Hammers side in great form
What Hasenhuttl constitutes as victory at this moment in time, however, is probably a fluid entity.
Defeat at the Vitality Stadium and he’s back under the microscope. But, baby steps – that’s as much as Hasenhuttl can ask for right now.
Because, in reality, this point is unlikely to have altered too much regarding the long-term thinking of Sport Republic, Southampton’s owners.
Succession planning is in full swing behind the scenes at St Mary’s. Of course, the counter argument to the significance of that is any club worth its salt should have a plan to execute in the event of a managerial departure.
But when you lose five out of six matches and in the bottom three, those discussions take on more gravitas.
Similarly, Sportsmail understands a number of managers across Europe are manoeuvring themselves into position to at least be considered once the Saints decide enough is enough.
West Ham argued that Jarrod Bowen had been blocked by referee Peter Bankes for the goal
West Ham laid siege to Gavin Bazunu’s Southampton goal in the second half at St Mary’s
That speaks volumes for Southampton’s lure, they remain one of the best run clubs in the top-flight.
We’ve been here before, though. And every time Hasenhuttl has clawed his way out of trouble – though the cost of sacking the 55-year-old, who has just over 18 months on his current deal, is understood to have played a factor in the previous regime falling short of pulling the trigger.
Armel Bella-Kotchap had to be substituted after landing awkwardly on his shoulder
But it feels different this time. The wheels are in motion, it’s hard to stop them turning.
Identifying the man to take Southampton, who want a manager who will buy into the club’s ethos of investing in youth, forward may take time.
Che Adams drew several saves from West Ham’s Lukasz Fabianski amid heavy pressure
Chief executive Martin Semmens will have a role, you’d imagine Sport Republic supremo Rasmus Ankersen will have his ideas.
Dragan Solak, de-facto owner, will surely have an input.
Timing will be a factor, too. Can they wait until the World Cup hiatus before taking a definitive view? There are many who view that as the ideal scenario – but results will dictate.
Sportsmail understands that several sides will move for Ralph Hasenhuttl should he be sacked
On the pitch, Hasenhuttl’s players put a shift in for their under pressure manager after another turbulent week as it emerged head of senior recruitment Joe Shields is leaving to take up a similar role at Chelsea.
Shields only joined from Manchester City in the summer, so you can imagine how his decision has been received at the very top of Southampton.
The fact the move to Stamford Bridge was leaked to an Italian journalist, when only a few people knew about the discussions has also raised suspicions.
Nevertheless, Shields’ departure is major blow, he’s unquestionably one of the best spotters of talent in the country.
Of course, all that is inconsequential to West Ham boss David Moyes, who left St Mary’s bewildered at how his team did not leave with victory.
Indeed, the Hammers were riled at the way Southampton took a 20th minute lead as Romain Perraud’s long range effort deflected off Ben Johnson and past Lukasz Fabianski.
Jarrod Bowen looked to be getting to the ball before Perraud until referee Peter Bankes blocked him.
‘The reason we haven’t got three points is because of the referee. Ridiculous, it’s terrible,’ blasted Moyes, who also thought his team were denied a penalty after a clash between Perraud and Tomas Soucek.
In truth, Southampton deserved their advantage, their opening was bright and threatening.
Hasenhuttl’s tenure has been dogged by suggestions of a disconnect with his squad.
There is truth to those assertions, but on this evidence not enough for them to throw Hasenhuttl under the bus.
Even in the second half, when it looked for all the world that West Ham would snatch a winner following Declan Rice’s beautiful equaliser in the 64th minute, there was enough blood, sweat and tears to suggest the Saints squad haven’t completely given up on Hasenhuttl yet.
Had Gavin Bazunu not produced some excellent stops, had Hammers pair Gianluca Scamacca and Lucas Paqueta shown better quality in front of goal then the stuttering of boos that greeted the final whistle would have been far more audible.
Gianluca Scamacca was substituted in the second half after several shots on Bazunu’s goal
That said, Fabianski had a strong case to be named West Ham’s best player on the day; two saves from Che Adams in the first half particularly vital.
In the end, it was probably a fair result – a result Hasenhuttl hopes gives him a fighting chance.
The Saints had lost four games in a row dating back to August ahead of Sunday’s game