West Ham 0-2 Liverpool
by Paul Donovan
at London Stadium

A MATCH overhung by the sad news of the death of West Ham’s legendary captain Billy Bonds saw the great man’s successors serve up an under-par performance, as they went down to a defeat at the hands of Liverpool at the London stadium.

Another lacklustre effort from West Ham saw an out of sorts Liverpool eventually amble over the line, taking the three points back to Merseyside.

Liverpool should have been two up by half time, with Alexander Isak denied by a point-blank save by Alphonse Areola. Then the big Frenchman denied Florian Wirtz, after he’d been set up by Cody Gakpo.

West Ham’s first effort came in the 58th minute, with a shot from Lucas Paqueta.

Liverpool went ahead five minutes into the second half, when the Gakpo/Isak combo, saw the big Swede fire home from inside the penalty area.

The arrival of Nicolas Fullkrug for the last 20 minutes saw some threat at last from West Ham. The German heading just over from a Paqueta cross. That was to be the last from a frustrated Paqueta, who argued his way to a red card.

Another determined effort by Fullkrug in the penalty saw the ball falling to Jarrod Bowen, who blazed wide.

At the death, Gakpo got a second goal, with West Ham defenders running around, like headless chickens.

West Ham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo pledged to keep fighting till the end.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was clearly relieved to have got the win, after coming under increasing pressure in recent weeks.

Slot thought the goal important for Isak, who started ahead of Mo Salah. He was though also keen to emphasise Salah has a big future at the club.

A day that West Ham supporters will want to forget. Their team seem to have no imagination, limited to the route one approach, usually via the goalkeeper or crossing from the flanks.

Many must now long for the days of David Moyes, when there seemed to be some structure, and they used to win things.