[ad_1]
Liverpool moved 19 points clear at the top of the Premier League with a routine win that intensified the pressure on West Ham at the bottom of the table.
Mohamed Salah’s first-half penalty and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s composed effort after the break maintained the Reds’ relentless march towards a first top-flight title since 1990.
The result leaves the Hammers in 17th and above 18th-placed Bournemouth, and Watford in 19th, on goal difference.
Backed by a vociferous crowd inside London Stadium, David Moyes’ side had started in determined fashion, limiting Liverpool to few efforts on target.
However, Issa Diop’s foul on Divock Origi allowed Salah to put Liverpool ahead from a penalty and their first shot on target.
The Hammers did have chances to score in the second period, notably via Manuel Lanzini’s scuffed close-range shot and Robert Snodgrass’ hurried effort.
But Liverpool always looked capable of extending their advantage, with Oxlade-Chamberlain doubling their lead with a right-foot shot into the bottom left corner after good work from Jordan Henderson and Salah.
It ensured a comfortable conclusion to the evening for Jurgen Klopp’s side, who are now unbeaten in 41 Premier League matches.
Moyes’ miserable run continues
For just over 30 minutes at least West Ham gave manager Moyes hope that he could improve on his miserable record against Liverpool.
While his side fulfilled its first brief, to largely stifle their seemingly unstoppable opponents by remaining compact and deep, they offered little beyond that and looked vulnerable whenever they attacked.
And they were eventually punished when Diop was caught slightly out of position to bring down Origi.
From that moment it seemed unlikely that 56-year-old Moyes would avoid a 17th top-flight defeat to the Reds – with the Scot having now won just three times in 28 attempts.
Despite Moyes’ generally concerned demeanour, there were bright spots for West Ham, who recently posted financial losses of £27.26m and stressed that retaining their Premier League status is “an absolute necessity”.
Nineteen-year-old Jeremy Ngakia caught the eye on his debut for the club and showed that their is life beyond veteran full-back Pablo Zabaleta.
The academy product settled after displaying early nerves and played a superb pass for Lanzini to run on to during the first half as he grew into the occasion.
More to follow.
[ad_2]
Source link