Match Review – Liverpool (H)
Torres Brace Beats West Ham - Photo From The Telegraph Newspaper
West Ham United 2
(Diamanti (pen) 29, Cole 45)
Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson (Gabbidon 25), Ilunga, Behrami (Kovac 28), Parker, Noble, Hines, Diamanti (Dyer 65), Cole
Subs: Kurucz, Spector, Payne, Nouble
Liverpool 3
(Torres 20, 75, Gerrard 42)
Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Mascherano, Gerrard, Benayoun (Aurelio 85), Lucas, Kuyt (Babel 60), Torres (Riera 90)
Subs: Cavalieri, Kyrgiakos, Degen, Dossena
West Ham lost by the odd goal in five after a lively clash at Upton Park with Liverpool this afternoon. After being involved in two very dull matches against Blackburn and Wigan, fans were finally treated to a game you just couldn’t take your eyes off.
Right from the second minute the game was alive. Hines robbed Carragher to give himself a one on one with Pepe Reina only to see his shot thump back off the post. Liverpool also had some early chances with ex-hammer Benayoun coming close with a low drive and Torres shooting wide.
It was Liverpool who took the lead with a classic Torres goal. The Spanish striker beat Tomkins and rode a late Upson tackle before beating Green at the near post. Upson never recovered from the late challenge and was replaced by Danny Gabbidon shortly after. Things looked bad for West Ham three minutes later as Valon Behrami left the field almost in tears after suffering injury twenty eight minutes into his first start since his knee injury last season. Then, right out of the blue West Ham got themselves back into game. Zavon Hines burst down the left wing and into the area before being brought down for a penalty, up stepped Alessandra Diamanti. The Italian slipped as he struck the ball, but somehow managed to find the back of the net.
West Ham seemed to have the upper edge before Steven Gerrard headed a Benayoun corner on to Kuyt who poked Liverpool ahead on forty two minutes. A real blow before half time. This though, only seemed to lift West Ham as they went on to win a free kick via the ever threatening Hines. The resulting Diamanti set piece was defelceted wide by the Liverpool wall. Noble then sent in a peach of a corner and Carlton Cole nodded home to equalise on the stroke of half time. Game on!
The Second half carried on like the first with both sides attacking on the break. Diamanti grew with the game and tested Pepe Reina with a trademark curling corner that was just tipped past the head of Hines. The game then started to slow down as both teams seemed to tire. Kieron Dyer came on and looked lively on a couple of occasions before Torres dealt the killer blow. He out jumped two West Ham defenders to head an excelent Babel cross pass Rob Green. West Ham failed to recover and finished another Premier League game without any points.
I must say I really enjoyed this game and felt we gave a really good account of ourselves. Stats will say its our worse start to a season for years but this was a game against a team that nearly won the premiership last year. Losing a five goal thriller against such opposition is really not that bad. Role on Manchester City.
P.s. A little side note. When I cancel my ESPN subscription after the Manchester City game Monday week, my reason will be Chris Waddle. How this man gets commentary jobs is beyond me. Anyone agree ?
Talking Hammers 