Match Reports
Liverpool 2-1 West Ham Liverpool took all three points with a deserved win on the opening day of the league season. Despite dominating the most of the possession throughout the match, clear cut chances were few and far between for either side and it took 18 minutes for Liverpool to go in front. Gary McAllister played Michael Owen in, and after creating space for himself, Owen calmly netted his first of the afternoon. But the lead lasted just 11 minutes as West Ham drew level before tha half hour mark. Henchoz brought down Todorov in the area and the resulting penalty was put away by Di Canio with a chip srtraight down the centre of the goal after Arphexad had commited himself. The rest of the half saw McAllister fire a free kick into the West Ham wall from just outside the area, and Danny Murphy hit a shot well over tha bar in one of his few contributions to the game. The second half was all Liverpool and after being restricted mainly to long range shots including a terrific 30 yard shot by Hamann, Michael Owen broke into the area and stuck a low shot across the keeper which went in off the far post. It was nothing more than Liverpool deserved despite a gutsy West Ham defence, but had it not been for countless misplaced passes when under no pressure, Liverpool could have won more comfortably. Jamie Redknapp made his first league appearance since 1999-2000 after coming on as a sub late on to the delight of the Anfield crowd, who also chanted Robbie Fowler's name thoughout the game. Houllier claimed last week that he would be concerned if Liverpool hit their peak form at the start of the season. While he will no doubt be delighted with the result, on this performance he has nothing to worry about just yet. View exclusive photographs from this match! View match pictures from this game!
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