Round-up: Aaron Cresswell warns against late Hammers ‘switch off’

Round-up of the action in the Premier League

Aaron Cresswell (GETTY IMAGES)

Aaron Cresswell has said West Ham must learn to stay “switched on” right up to the final whistle to avoid seeing their season drift away.

Full-back Cresswell, who cracked in a superb 25-yard free-kick after seven minutes against Stoke City on Saturday, only for Marko Arnautovic to equalise deep in second-half injury time, accepts the team must take responsibility for not staying focused to see the job through.

“The most disappointing thing was that we couldn’t push on after going 1-0 up and score a second goal,” he said. “It didn’t come, so you just have to be professional and hold on to the 1-0 – and play rough and dirty if that is the case to get that 1-0.”

Toby Alderweireld (GETTY IMAGES)

Southampton’s 2-0 win against Hull City brought them level with their record Premier League points tally of 56, set last year. “It has been a very nice season,” on-loan defender Toby Alderweireld said. “We like to play football, we have a good team and we have good results. We are playing for the European spots so I am happy.”

The win was unconvincing but gave Southampton’s faint top-four hopes a boost. “We have six games left, so it is going to be a hard sprint,” Alderweireld said.

Swansea City captain Ashley Williams believes Garry Monk’s recruitment policy and tactical know-how are responsible for the Swans also matching their best Premier League points tally with six games to go. A 1-1 home draw with Everton took them to the 47-point mark achieved by Brendan Rodgers’ side in the club’s inaugural Premier season three years ago.

“Anyone that watches us regularly will say this is the best team and squad we’ve had, certainly since I’ve been here,” said Williams.