West Ham’s fantastic run came to an abrupt end at Upton Park this week as they were beaten by Liverpool in a thrilling five goal thriller which portrayed a spectacle for fans.
The game got off to a fantastic side for merseyside outfit Liverpool who opened the scoring through a beautiful goal from former West Ham right back, Glen Johnson, whom took on two players before hitting a drifter into the top of the West Ham net. Fan favourite Mohammed Diame was giving the hammers faithful much to sing about as he powered his way through the Liverpool team, and with the score at 1-0 it was a powerful run from the senegalese midfielder which drew English midfielder Steven Gerrard into a rash challenge which saw the reds captian booked. West Ham eventually got onto level terms through a Mark Noble penalty posterior to a Demel striker that crashed against liverpool star, Allen’s arm. Noble slotted home from the spot to make the score 1-1. West Ham then went in the lead through a Steven Gerrard own goal, as he beat Pepe Reina to the ball and accidentally nodded the ball into his own net. Liverpool, who were without their only fit striker, Luis Suarez, due to a ban, were forced to play midfielder Jonjo Shelvey up front, of whom had a spell at West Ham when he was young. The Liverpool equaliser came through another former hammer, as Joe Cole placed the ball into the back of the West Ham net, despite crushing the hearts of the West Ham faithful, he, alike Johnson, muted his celebration in gratitude to the club that developed him. Moments later it was another former hammer who scored, as Shelvey’s touch knocked the ball over the top of the West Ham keeper, and he made it 3-2, despite his days at West Ham, the youngster celebrated in sheer jubilation as his goal sealed 3 points for the reds which sent them into the top half of the table for the first time this season, whereas West Ham dropped to 11th, the first time they’ve been in the bottom half.
The game saw Diame stretchered off for West Ham as he pulled his right hamstring, the powerhouse is expected to be out for 10 weeks. This was all posterior to specualtion as to wether the senegal midfielder would remain at Upton Park for any longer, as his contract holds a clause which allows him to leave for £3.4 million, and with many clubs holding him hot on their radars, the fan favourite could soon be strutting his stuff in a different kit. Despite all of this, West Ham’s chairman, Dave Gold has declared that the club are set to offer him a new contract with much higher wages, and a much higher release clause.
Injuries seem to be holding the hammers back as they have, Jack Collison, Ricardo Vaz Te, Andy Carroll and now Mohammed Diame, all out until after the christmas period.