It wasn’t a pretty match and was quite boring to watch but the Hammers came back down to London with a valuable point, and points mean prizes!
Allardyce’s team deserve a pat on the back for taking on Brendan Rogers’ men and snatching a valuable point that gives West ham a breather and edges the East London team a bit further to premiership permanence.
The draw damaged Liverpool’s dream of snatching Euro football next year but was a shot in the arm for the Hammers and their quest for Premiership survival.
Allardyce’s men even came close to scoring their first goal in 50 years at Anfield only for 24 year old Jack Collison’s header to be cleared of the goal line by Leiva.
Defender James Collins was a stalwart at the back and shadowed Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez perfectly throughout the game although he did give West Ham something to worry about in injury time when Jussi Jaaskelainen saved at his near post from a low strike.
West Ham United are now seven points clear of the danger zone and Liverpool are in seventh behind rivals Everton.
Both Collins and Tomkins played a great part in the Hammers trip to Anfield and were crucial to Allardyce’s set up in which they got a clean sheet.
Mo Diame could have put the locals in trouble when he took on four Reds and shot over the bar. West ham were frustrating Liverpool and Daniel Sturridge was denied a goal by Jaaskelainen just before the half time whistle.
Liverpool had mush of the ball but failed to provide any clear cut chances against the Hammers. After the break the home side increased and stepped up the pressure but West Ham were with them all the way.
Tomkins saved off the line from a Stevie Gerard shot that looked certain to go in. West Ham thought they had a penalty in the bag for a Jose Enrique tackle on Tomkins but it wasn’t to be. Having said that Tomkins then did the same at the visitor’s end and brought down Gerard. neither penalty kicks were awarded.
Brendan Rogers had this to say about the Hammers after the match:
“You have to give West Ham credit as they defended very well. I never for one moment thought they were going to win it. They got in some great blocks and are an honest group of players that put their bodies on the line but only one team tried to win it and that was us, but we couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net.”
Hammers boss Allardyce also had a few words to say:
“I am content, even though we should have won the game. We nullified Liverpool’s strengths and created the better chances to score. I’m delighted. It’s only our finishing that has cost us the three points.”
Although Allardyce thought he should have being driving back down to London with 3 points in the bag, it’s still not a bad result for the Irons. To hold Liverpool to a draw at Anfield is all good in my books and the team deserve a pat on the back especially the defense.
The Hammers next match is against Southampton on Saturday. Another away fixture but a chance to pick up some more valuable points I think.
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