WEST HAM 1 LIVERPOOL 2

Team of the day..
Reina, Riise, Agger, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Alonso, Kuyt, Gerrard MBE (c), Bellamy, Crouch.
Subs - Dudek, Fowler, Gonzalez, Pennant, Zenden

liverpoolfc.tv reports..

Spectacular strikes from Dirk Kuyt and Peter Crouch earned Liverpool a priceless Premiership victory at Upton Park on Tuesday night as West Ham were beaten 2-1.

They netted during a frantic seven-minute spell early in the second half and, although Hammers debutant Kepa Blanco later pulled a goal back, the Reds held on to move within two points of second-placed Chelsea.

They've now won nine of their last ten in the Premiership and this latest result will send out an ominous warning to the top two as the title race begins to hot up.

Rafael Benitez made two changes to the side that had defeated champions Chelsea ten days previous and opted for the attacking 3-4-3 formation that worked so effectively in the recent away win at Watford.

In their all-yellow change strip, Liverpool took the game to the hosts from the first whistle but it was not until Jamie Carragher fired over with a rare left-footed effort on goal in the 9th minute that they threatened the West Ham goal.

The early passing was slick and four minutes later referee Martin Atkinson harshly waved away a legitimate-looking penalty appeal when John Arne Riise was felled in the box by Jonathon Spector.

The Hammers were struggling to get out of their own half and when they did finally manage to break free, Pepe Reina was quick off his line to sweep up a finely threaded through ball and deny Marlon Harewood a goalscoring opportunity.

As the half wore on the standard of play dipped and the game degenerated into a scrappy affair, fought out largely in and around the centre circle.

West Ham gradually grew in confidence during this lacklustre spell and almost snatched the lead on the half hour mark through Harewood, the big striker rifling in a low shot from distance that flew narrowly wide of the far post.

With the home crowd becoming more and more vociferous, Reina then had to be at his best to tip a stinging free-kick from Luis Boa Morte over the bar. Yossi Benayoun also forced the Reds keeper into a vital save as the interval approached and the travelling Liverpudlians behind that goal were no doubt relieved to hear the half-time whistle.

But within 14-seconds of the restart their concerns had turned to delight as Kuyt spectacularly broke the deadlock with a dipping shot from 25-yards out that sailed over the head of Roy Carroll and into the roof of the net.



It was a sensational start to the second period and the visiting fans were still celebrating when Crouch doubled the advantage seven minutes later, emphatically finishing a flowing move with a powerful side-footed strike from the edge of the box that nestled sweetly into the top corner.

West Ham were visibly reeling from the shock of conceding two goals in quick succession and a rampant Liverpool threatened to run riot, with all three strikers revelling in their misfortune and desperate to punish them further.

Somehow, the Eastenders weathered the storm and following an inspired double substitution Alan Curbishley's strugglers were suddenly back in the game.

Twelve minutes remained when Bobby Zamora crossed for Blanco to turn the ball home from close-range. It set up a tense finale but, thankfully, Liverpool survived this late scare to claim the win their scintillating early second half showing deserved.



Rafa's comments..

It was a great win for us. We've maintained our winning momentum and need to keep going. We scored two great goals and the second was really good play.

"It was important that we scored first because when they scored we were a little bit nervous.

"We cannot think about the title. We must just keep on winning and if we do that then in three or four weeks we might be able to start talking about possibilities. We are on a good run and enjoying it."

Louis' Comments..

It's a good win. Most importantly, we have 3 points in the bag. We are playing well now and it pleases me to see us performing at this good level of football.

Dirk Kuyt and Peter Crouch both scored and the goals are awesome. Dirk Kuyt just had a shot in just 12 seconds after the restart. He was assisted by Peter Crouch and his number of goals per season have reached double figures.

The second goal was one of the best goals I've seen this season. The build-up play was superb. Tidy work done by Alonso and Gerrard in the middle of the park and Gerrard played a low and long ball down to Bellamy, who then, cut it through to Riise. With space on the left, Riise plays Crouch on and he didn't make any mistakes by shooting into the top corner of the net. I jumped upon seeing the ball flew into the net.





Liverpool was cruising into the second half when I believed complacency crept into our play. The players was playing as though they have won the game. Mis-passes, losing possession was everywhere. That's mainly why West Ham managed to get one back.

Fortunately, after conceeding the goal, Liverpool woke up a little and began to play the way they started the match, managed to hang on and won th game.





Next, it's our derby. Everton. A game which always never fails to excite and disappoints me as well. A 3-0 loss earlier this season was still fresh in my mind. As our gaffer and skipper has said during the week, we can't lose any points anymore.

Come on reds..


you'll never walk alone..


cheers.