West Ham Stuns Liverpool In Premier League Thriller
West Ham stunned title contenders Liverpool after a brilliant 3-2 victory at the London Stadium, leapfrogging their opponents on the Premier League table.
The hosts started with Michail Antonio upfront, supported by Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma on the flanks, while Liverpool had Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah in attack.
West Ham scored the opening goal in the 4th minute as Pablo Fornals’ corner went straight in, over the head of goalkeeper Alisson. A closer look showed Alisson had in fact diverted the ball into his net for an own goal.
Liverpool dominated possession as they looked to get back into the game. However, the hosts defended admirably to keep Liverpool out. After Salah was brought down outside West Ham’s penalty box a free-kick was awarded and Alexander-Arnold stepped up.
After an intelligent one-two with Salah to provide a better angle for the free-kick, the left-back curled the ball past goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and into the top corner of the net to equalise for Liverpool just before halftime.
Early in the second half, West Ham substitute Craig Dawson hit the crossbar from a corner, before Sadio Mane forced Fabianski into a point-blank save from a wonderful first-time volleyed shot.
However, West Ham went ahead when Bowen blew past three Liverpool players and then found Fornals, who beat Alisson with a placed ball in the 67th minute.
The goal sent the Hammers fans in the London Stadium into a frenzy as they took the lead in spectacular counter-attacking fashion.
The home side’s third goal came from another corner as defender Kurt Zouma headed past Alisson at the back post, unmarked from Bowen’s delivery.
Substitute Origi pulled one back for Liverpool with a fine turn and finish from the edge of the box, just seven minutes after coming on for Diogo Jota.
However, it was only to be a consolation goal for Liverpool as the Hammers claimed a valuable 3 points against formidable opponents.
The victory was West Ham’s fourth straight in the league, moving them to within just three points of leaders Chelsea, while Liverpool were beaten for the first time since early April, and the first time since March in the league.
Aaron Cresswell was fortunate not to see red for a studs up challenge on Jordan Henderson, also checked by VAR. After the game, Jurgen Klopp disagreed with two refereeing decisions, saying it was a “clear foul” on Alisson for the goal, and a “reckless challenge” from Cresswell.
West Ham go to Wolves after the international break on Saturday November 20, while Liverpool host Arsenal on the same day in the Premier League.
Premier League results
Arsenal 1-0 Watford
Everton 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Leeds United 1-1 Leicester City
West Ham 3-2 Liverpool
Chidi Nwoke/Premier League.
