Headed goals from Mikhail Antonio and Andy Carroll propelled West Ham United into fifth place in the Premier League in a 2-0 win over Liverpool at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp‘s charges had little momentum in the first hour, and their awakening ultimately came too late. Despite controlling the final half hour, the Reds dropped all three points.
The Hammers have 32 points and move above a host of teams for the time being, though Palace, Watford and Manchester United could pass them with weekend wins.
Liverpool sits seventh, with 30 points.
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After Antonio won the ball off Alberto Moreno in a hard tackle, Enner Valencia got the ball in the Liverpool end and sent a gorgeous, strong ball from outside the corner of the right flank.
Antonio was there at the other end to rise above Nathaniel Clyne and head it by Simon Mignolet.
Manuel Lanzini nearly made it 2-0 in the 17th minute, as his dipping, swerving ball moved unfortunately off the post. The Hammers were living in the Liverpool end.
Clyne made slight amends in the 42nd minute, blocking Aaron Cresswell‘s left-footed shot off a long throw-in.
The Reds didn’t have a lot of chances, but Emre Can did hit the post in stoppage time to give Liverpool a lift.
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21 – Only Liverpool v Leicester (23) saw more first half shots than West Ham v Liverpool (21) this season in the Premier League. Busy.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 2, 2016
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And, of course, then came big Andy. The ex-Liverpool striker scored a classic Carroll headed goal, as Mark Noble sent an invitation that Carroll barreled into the goal.
Dimitri Payet brought a bit of new meaning to impact sub, as West Ham was able to introduce their best player to the game in the 65th minute.
Mignolet made a pair of tremendous saves in the 69th minute, parrying Carroll’s header from six yards before sliding to collect Antonio’s offspeed rebound chance.
A corner kick nearly put Liverpool back into it, but was cleared off the line.
Then a meeting of the minds, as Philippe Coutinho‘s blast through traffic was blocked by Carroll’s chest. But Hammers keeper Adrian had been knocked down, much to the chagrin of his teammates.
