Sam Allardyce praises Kevin Nolan

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has heaped praise on the performance of his captain Kevin Nolan during their 3-1 win at home to Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

The Hammers came from a goal behind to win, with Nolan scoring the third, and Allardyce believes that his attitude since his two sending-offs earlier in the season has been brilliant.

"I can believe the turnaround because I know Kevin's qualities," Allardyce told Sky Sports News. "What I like about it is that he has gone about his job and made sure he repays everybody at the club for what happened.

"It was the lowest point of his career, I think, because it was not just one sending off but two in a short period of time.

"The contribution now is massive and it is not just the goals, but the pass he made for the first goal - a top quality pass at this level, which split open a very resilient Southampton defence. Long may it continue."

The win lifted West Ham into the top half of the Premier League.