Liverpool in shaky win
FT Liverpool 2 West Ham 0
Liverpool lifted the pressures on Anfield with only their third victory of an increasingly worrying Barclays Premiership season.
After a week which has seen them heavily criticised for defeats at Fulham and Crystal Palace, goals from Xabi Alonso and Bolo Zenden produced a comfortable if not totally convincing victory.
West Ham, as you would expect, were prepared to attack and had plenty of possession but not the cutting edge to really make life difficult for the European champions.
Hislop produced the save of the match to turn away a Luis Garcia shot after Gabbidon had been caught in possession.
Finnan was booked for a foul on Konchesky, before Bolo Zenden replaced Cisse with 18 minutes to go – and his first touch was a cross that Luis Garcia headed wide of the far post.
Hislop had to save at Morientes’ feet as Liverpool mounted sustained pressure, before West Ham gambled – and lost.
The visitors took off Repka and sent on centre half James Collins, who went up front, leaving the Hammers with three defenders – and the space on the left was instantly exploited by Liverpool.
Riise’s headed clearance dropped into Zenden’s path, without a defender near him. He cut into the box and drilled his shot in off the far post on 82 minutes, his first goal for Liverpool and the points settled.
| Related Stories: |
|
