Premiership
West Ham United 1-0 Liverpool 

Wednesday, 30th January 2008
by Gordon Thrower

Those of us of “a certain age” always enjoy getting something out of this one. Much that is wrong with the modern game can be traced back to the door of Anfield. You thought muppet glory-hunting supporters from Kingston-Upon-Thames, “beneficial” refereeing decisions and dodgy transfer deals started with Man Utd? Nah Liverpool were there long before.



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Player Ratings

Robert Green
Barely troubled all night ?EUR" most dangerous opponent was the pitch that caused an early back pass to bobble.


Lucas Neill
Torres was a tough opponent but Neill stuck to the task admirably.


George McCartney
Steady enough performance that improved after Matty?EUR(TM)s arrival.


Anton Ferdinand
Excellent. Has been a revelation since his return from injury/court. Maybe the close shave with the law has taught him a lesson. If so it has been well-learned.


Matthew Upson
Mr Consistent. The England call-up is well-deserved.


Lee Bowyer
Was quietly effective without ever bossing the game.


Mark Noble
Worked his socks off for the whole match. Nerves of steel for the spot-kick.


Freddie Ljungberg
Excellent first half. I?EUR(TM)d have liked to have seen him get at the already-booked Aurelio a bit more in the second. Brilliant contribution to the goal.


Matthew Etherington
He's definitely had better games this season- there were glimpses here and there, but too many errors stunted his game.


Luis Boa Morte
Had a wretched night. The harder he tried the worse things got. Clearly the boss thinks he?EUR(TM)s a better bet than Matty when playing five across the middle.


Carlton Cole
Battled gamely and caused his usual nuisance to the defenders without ever really looking like he was going to score.



Substitutes

Dean Ashton
(replaced Bowyer, 58) No real contribution when coming on as sub.


Matthew Etherington
(replaced Boa Morte, 59) Didn?EUR(TM)t get quite as involved as one might have hoped but his part in the break that ultimately led to the goal was excellent.


Jonathan Spector
(replaced Cole, 81) A fresh pair of legs as we went to shore things up. Was on the plot when Ljungberg won the penalty.


Richard Wright
Did not play.


Nobby Solano
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Robert Green, Lucas Neill, George McCartney, Anton Ferdinand, Matthew Upson, Lee Bowyer, Mark Noble, Freddie Ljungberg, Matthew Etherington, Luis Boa Morte, Carlton Cole.

Goals: Mark Noble 90                  .

Booked: None.

Sent Off: None sent off.     .

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Aurelio, Carragher, Hyypia, Gerrard, Alonso, Kewell, Benayoun, Torres, Kuyt.

Subs not used: Itandje, Skrtel, Crouch.

Goals: .

Booked: Aurelio (38), Torres (71), Alonso (88).

Sent off: None.

Referee: A.Wiley.

Attendance: 34,977.

Man of the Match: Mark Noble.