West Ham 3 (Alisson 4′ og, Fornals 67′, Zouma 74′) Liverpool 2 (Alexander-Arnold 41′, Origi 83′)
West Ham edged a five-goal thriller to continue their wonderful run under David Moyes and leapfrog Liverpool in the Premier League table.
Second-half goals from Pablo Fornals and Kurt Zouma, added to an early Alisson own goal, helped the Hammers move up to third, just three points off leaders Chelsea.
Liverpool felt aggrieved that Aaron Cresswell stayed on the pitch after an early lunge on captain Jordan Henderson but were outplayed by a side that caused them problems at set pieces and on the counter-attack.
Trent Alexander-Arnold curled in a delightful free-kick before half-time to level the scores. That effort looked be little more than a consolation until substitute Divock Origi fired in with seven minutes from time to tee up a nervy finish but West Ham clung on for a memorable three points.
West Ham player ratings
Lukasz Fabianski: Rooted by Alexander-Arnold’s brilliant equalising free-kick, the Pole couldn’t have done anything to stop that or Origi’s volley, and otherwise had little to do 6
Ben Johnson: Impressive early season form continued with a solid display. Strong in the tackle and when transitioning the ball, Johnson was a key part of a defensive unit which contained Liverpool’s attacking threat for much of the game 8
Kurt Zouma: A key part of West Ham’s solid defence, marshalling Liverpool and denying them any opportunities through the centre in the first half. His headed goal typified a brilliant performance 9
Angelo Ogbonna: Started well but had little to do before being taken off in the 20th minute 6
Aaron Cresswell: Kept Salah quiet on the right but could have been sent off for an out-of-control tackle early on. Limited impact in the second half 7
Tomas Soucek: Key to blocking Liverpool from creating anything through the middle in the first half and vital as they saw out the victory. Should have been punished for giving away a free kick on the edge of the box in the 90th minute, but Mane sent his free header wide 7
Declan Rice: Impressive in the centre of the park alongside Soucek but gave away an unnecessary foul on the edge of the box which Alexander-Arnold duly punished 7
Jarrod Bowen: Good running and dribbling as part of West Ham’s dangerous counter-attack and played Fornals through as West Ham retook the lead in the 67th minute. Solid performance 8
Said Benrahma: As important as Bowen was on the counter. Set up a great chance for Bowen in first half added time on edge of the box which was smartly denied by Van Dijk. Subbed off in the 85th minute 7
Pablo Fornals: Devilish delivery for the opener was as good as a goal, in-swinging the ball just in front of Alisson. Add to this a goal and assist in the second half: an all-round brilliant performance from the Spaniard 10
Michail Antonio: As dangerous on the counter as ever but didn’t really have any proper efforts on goal. His best chance was in first half added time but the ball got caught in his feet as he was through on goal 7
Subs: Dawson (7), Masuaku (6)
Liverpool player ratings
Alisson: Should have done better for all three goals. He didn’t do enough to prevent the opener, with it going down as an own goal, got his hands to Fornals’ effort but let it slip through, and was poor again at dealing with the corner from which Zouma scored 4
Trent Alexander-Arnold: His brilliant free-kick equaliser was ingenious and he showed attacking initiative throughout, often drifting inside to create. Delivered a perfect ball for Mane from a free kick in the 90th minute which was poorly headed wide 8
Joel Matip: Struggled with Antonio’s running at times in the first half and made no mistakes, but nevertheless part of a defence which conceded three times 5
Virgil van Dijk: Calm as ever at the back, perfectly timing a challenge in first half added time to deny Bowen just outside the six-yard box. He was the best of Liverpool’s defenders at dealing with West Ham’s counters 7
Andy Robertson: Had a limited impact in spite of most chances coming from out wide, but set up Mane well with a first-time, volleyed cross which really should have been converted 6
Jordan Henderson: Did well by linking play and getting on the ball to create chances, drifting out wide to do so in both the first and second halves 7
Fabinho: Linked play from his defensive midfield role well and mopped up repeatedly, but was bypassed easily on occasions by West Ham’s counter-attacking play. Subbed off on 79 minutes 6
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: In his first league game since opening day, he had very little impact. Slightly improved as the game opened up in the second half but it largely passed him by 3
Mo Salah: Contained by Cresswell in the first half but teed Alexander-Arnold up brilliantly for the free-kick, providing a much better angle to whip the ball home. Grafted to create in the second half but had no proper chances 7
Diogo Jota: Struggled for chances amid the difficulties imposed by West Ham in the centre and should have done better with a free header in the first-half. Not much improvement in the second half and was subbed off in the 75th minute 5
Sadio Mane: Also struggled for chances and had nothing concrete as West Ham contained Liverpool’s attackers well. Should have scored in 51st minute on the volley from a great Robertson delivery but put it straight at Fabianski, and again in the 90th minute from a free header 5
Subs: Thiago (6), Origi (8), Minamino (5)
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3o9iC1A
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