West Ham 1-2 Liverpool - Match Report

Liverpool returned to the top of the Barclays Premier League this afternoon with a fiercely fought win at Upton Park against spirited opposition in Sam Allardyce’s West Ham side. This, like all the remaining games for Brendan Rodgers’ men was a must win affair and would ensure three points and a return to the top of the pile.

Steven Gerrard: Keeps the Reds flying high

Win they did and the Reds now occupy pole position in the title race. The top of the Premiership is currently like the final round of a PGA tour match with all players needing to hold par or better, a birdie put, in order to win through. Fortunately it’s not sudden death... For now. The only change for Liverpool was centre back Mamadou Sakho deputising for Daniel Agger who was injured in training on Friday.

The visitors arrived at their hosts on the back of an eight match winning run which has seen them score 30 goals in the process. This West Ham side were in no mood to suffer the same fate and set their stall out to defend stoutly and attack quickly and physically. Needless to say, this was reflected in the scoreline as clearcut chances were few and far between. The best chance fell to top Scorer Luis Suarez on 27 minutes when his deftly placed chip struck the crossbar beyond the despairing dive of  Adrian. The visitors were patient in possession and waiting for opportunities to put through balls in behind the crowded home defence. 

As the end of a seemingly goalless first half approached, a 40-yard pass from captain Steven Gerrard found Luis Suarez on the edge of the West Ham penalty area, closely marshalled by James Tomkins. As Suarez scooped the ball beyond his marker, Tomkins inexplicably raised his hand and prevented the ball from passing him and leaving referee Anthony Taylor no option but to point to the spot. Up stepped Gerrard to push the ball to the ‘keeper’s right with a text book penalty kick. It now seemed as if Liverpool would go into the break with their noses in front. Alas, on occasion, all is not what it seems and in the second minute of injury time, West Ham clawed a goal back in controversial circumstances.

Mark Noble’s corner from the right was all but claimed by ‘keeper Simon Mignolet when ex-Liverpool man Andy Carroll impeded the Belgian with his arm connecting firmly to Mignolet's face. The ball fell to Guy Demel who stabbed home from close range to equalise. The infringement was spotted by the Mr. Taylor’s assistant Stuart Burt who’s flag was raised accordingly, as well as the visiting players appeals but despite both, the referee opted to allow the goal to stand. Not the best game the man in the middle has ever had. Well, hopefully not anyway. The whistle blew to signal the end of an eventful first half. Lacking in quality, but compensated for with controversy.

The second half was largely uneventful other than a Carroll header that thundered against Mignolet’s cross bar. The Reds pushed forward and patiently sought an opening to get a second but the home side stood firm and packed the defence. The deadlock was broken on 81 minutes as Jon Flanagan rushed into the West Ham penalty area to meet Lucas Leiva’s through ball only to be brought down by Adrian. It was a tough call. To coin a phrase "I've seen them given...", and given it was. Mr. Taylor pointed to the spot. Penalty number two was converted for goal number two by none other than Gerrard to send the travelling fans into raptures. Late efforts from Suarez - another deft chip hitting the bar - and Raheem Sterling went begging. The home team by the end had come to accept there was nothing down for them this time and that the visitors would be leaving with the spoils. 

Brendan Rodgers quite rightly asserted after the game that Liverpool were the better side and I don’t believe West Ham can have any genuine complaints after that. They were frankly beaten  by a better side, despite their best efforts to thwart that. Liverpool’s winning run now stretches to nine games and on this form, they need that to continue if they’re to break their 25 year duck and retain the Premiership crown. On this performance, there’s every chance they may just be able to manage it. The fans can dare to dream and next up, the Reds welcome Manchester City to Anfield for what is certain to be a real corker of a match.

Follow me on Twitter: @Mrbengreen

West Ham Utd v Liverpool FC - Match Preview

Liverpool travel to East London this afternoon with the intention of regaining their place at the top of the Premier League. With fellow challengers Manchester City and Chelsea recording emphatic wins

Glen Johnson: Will Glenda be out key man today - again?

yesterday, today's match will provide further evidence as to whether Brendan Rodger's side genuinely are in the hunt, or simply also-rans. Sam Alladyce will be sure to make this as difficult a task as is humanly possible in order to secure top flight survival for the Hammers. 

Luck, like everything in this world is not infinite and it'll be interesting to see if the Gaffer's continues, or whether he used up the last of it with his Grand National sweepstake win yesterday. Liverpool, or the housewives favorite if you prefer, are currently a solitary point behind Jose Mourinho's side with a single game in hand, so a win would restore the Reds' two-point advantage at the top of the table. Hopefully Rodgers' side can avoid falling victim, like Across The Bay did yesterday, to an unseated runner as one could call West Ham - long out of the race, but continuing all the same as trained to do.

If observers claimed Liverpool may suffer under pressure, then this match will see if they're correct. This fixture is one that Champions should be winning. The kind of game where they can show they will not lie down. Both to the immediate opposition and to the other challengers. Andy Carroll will be doing his level best to show Rodgers what he so willingly let go, and lifelong Reds supporter Kevin Nolan will be looking to put a dent in the visitors' hopes for sure. 

In terms of selection, I can't see any changes. Simply because the current team has done so well in the last couple of months and seem really settled. I'm hoping that Rodgers will start with a front three. Raheem Sterling out wide on the right, swapping the width with Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez. The latter two switching between offering the wide option and the central attacking threat. I'd prefer to see Sterling start ahead of Philippe Coutinho simply because I believe he can handle the inevitable physicality. Coutinho, on the other hand will probably win more free kicks and against a packed defence, this may well be the side's best bet for scoring opportunities. In any case the team has options and goals so we'll see which approach the boss goes with. 

The midfield three of Steven Gerrard in front of the back four, Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen ahead of him. I don't see a start for Lucas at the moment, but should the visitors secure a comfortable enough lead, then we can expect his introduction in the second half. The defense will gave a tough test managing Carroll and Nolan and I'm praying that the back four can keep them at bay. This is going to be a vital part of this match and if the visitors are to remain the only unbeaten premiership side this year, it's imperative that there are no sloppy mistakes to make a difficult risk harder still. This will also be a chance for Glen Johnson to continue his return to form and maintain his impressive scoring record against his old club.

For me, Manchester City are still the favorites to take the title this season. Their two games in hand could see them take a two point lead at the top so this really us a must-win game for Liverpool. Indeed, every one of the remaining six matches will be. This, if Rodgers' men can maintain their form, will be the reason why a title win would be that little more special. Just in case it isn't special enough. So let the analysis and talking stop and let the game begin. Let's hope the team come away with a win. 

Follow me on Twitter: @Mrbengreen

A look ahead to this weekend

Another weekend of top-flight footy awaits us with Liverpool, and all fans for that matter keen to

Brendan Rodgers: Thumbs up for Sunday

 witness the ups an down of another round of games in week 33 of the Barclays Premier League. Vital points will be won and lost as the season moves toward the most exciting finale we've seen in recent times. 

No longer is there a double-digit points lead at the top and everyone else playing for the scraps. Despite Jose Mourinho's public concession of his side's assault on the title, I'm sure privately, he still feels Chelsea have a chance. They must have. It's not over until the fat lady sings and I don't think she's even turned up yet! The Blues will be hosting Stoke in the late kick off tomorrow and one would expect them to be making amends. However, this could be another proverbial banana skin for them in addition to the one they encountered last weekend at Crystal Palace that landed them spectacularly on their wealthy behinds. 

The expression is that there are no easy games and I'll have this in mind for the biggest fixture of the weekend, in my opinion - albeit that I'm absolutely totally biased. Brendan Rodgers and his vibrant Liverpool team travel down to the cauldron that is Upton Park on Sunday hoping to extend their lead at the top against West Ham. The way things have panned out over the last few games, there isn't really much point in speculating as to who will be in the side. Unfortunately Rodgers doesn't have a massive squad to choose from. Those that have been called upon however, have been top class. Seeing as the Hammers are a very physical side as expected from Sam Alladyce, whoever the Gaffer picks will have to be up to the challenge of what will surely be a bruising encounter. And dare I say it, not the most attractive to watch either. I suspect there may be one or two neck aches in the crowd among the travelling support looking up at the long balls being launched into the box for Anfield old boy Andy Carroll. 

Manchester City will host Southampton at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow which will be a tricky one for them too. Southampton will be trying to bridge the gap between them and Manchester United in 7th so potentially another hazard there for Manuel Pellegrini. Despite winning the Capital One Cup this season, I believe Pellegrini will be under the most pressure of all the current title contenders. Should he fail to win the Premiership this season, the powers that be at the Etihad may well feel the need to wield the axe. Notwithstanding the fact that this City side is probably the most effective and clinical we've seen in a long long time. 35 wins from a possible 48 - a 73% success rate in old money - is as good a return as any so it'll be a bold move if he gets shown the door come the end of the season. 

Elsewhere, Crystal Palace travel to Cardiff where a win may all but seal their survival and Cardiff's doom. That said, West Bromwich Albion's visit to Norwich City could also have dire consequences for the loser depending on the outcome of the Palace match. Fulham, for me and anybody else with more than one brain cell, are dead and buried now. They can only play the part of spoilers between now and the end of the season. 

So we have an exciting weekend of footy ahead of us. I'm hoping that Liverpool can continue their current form at Upton Park. What's vital for Rodgers' men apart from winning of course, is to keep a clean sheet. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that this title race may come down to goal difference and if so, it's imperative that the Reds can prevent the opposition from scoring for the fourth game in their last six. Apart from breeding confidence into a defence that has been a tad erratic at times, it will send a clear signal to the chasing pack that they're going to have to be at their very best to get anything from us. 

I have to mention a special good luck to the Liverpool Under 18s side who play away at Leicester City's Aylestone training ground tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately the lads aren't in a position to win the U-18 league this season but lie in a creditable third position with 41 points (as much as it burns me to say it, behind Everton and Man City) and a further three matches to go. 

Finally, no predictions for me, simply a suggestion that the Reds will return victorious from East London tomorrow, albeit by a slim margin. One thing it won't be is an expansive game as 'Big Sam' will keep the game as tight as duck's bottom and probably as rough as old boots too. 

Follow me on Twitter: @Mrbengreen