West Ham United built a 2-0 home lead, then held on for dear life before ending it late in a 3-1 win over Liverpool at Upton Park to cap a busy Saturday in the Premier League.
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Winston Reid and Diafra Sakho struck for goals in the match’s first eight minutes before Raheem Sterling pulled one back in the 26th, but that was all Liverpool could muster in its second-straight loss.
Morgan Amalfitano scored in the 88th minute off formed Liverpool mid Stewart Downing’s feed to cap the win.
The Reds are now losers of three of their first five, in 10th place with six points through five games. Meanwhile, West Ham have leapt over Liverpool, up to eighth place with seven points.
Here’s what we were saying at halftime, with West Ham leading 2-1.
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To the second half, where Liverpool came close several times through Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini.
In his first Premier League start for Liverpool in more than 700 days, Borini had a tight-angled, right-footed shot after a feed from Balotelli in the 54th minute, but Adrian saw it the whole way.
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Raheem Sterling of Liverpool scores is team’s first goal as teammate Mario Balotelli of Liverpool jumps to avoid the shot during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at Boleyn Ground on September 20, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
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Balotelli nearly found a goal in the 69th minute when he drove toward the box and handcuffed Adrian with a right-footed screamer. Adrian punched the ensuing corner wide.
Cheikhou Kouyate provided a real problem when he was injured with 10 minutes to go, just minutes after the Hammers made their last substitution. He fought through the pain.
Liverpool ended the match with well over 60 percent possession, but zero points.
LINEUPS
West Ham United: Adrian, Cresswell, Reid, Tomkins, Demel (Jenkinson, 61'), Noble, Song (Amalfitano, 69'), Kouyate, D. Sakho, Downing, Valencia (Collins, 76')
Goals: Reid (2'), D. Sakho (7'), Amalfitano (88')
Liverpool: Mignolet, Manquillo (M. Sakho, 22'), Moreno, Lovren, Skrtel, Gerrard, Henderson, Lucas (Lallana, 46'), Sterling, Borini (Lambert, 75'), Balotelli.
Goal: Sterling (26')