Sam Allardyce's new-look West Ham put last season's Premier League runners-up to the sword with a stylish swagger at the Boleyn this afternoon.
A shellshocked Liverpool, bereft of last season's strike force of Sturridge (injured) and Suarez (sold) failed to recover from conceding two goals within the opening seven minutes of the contest.Although the travelling fans were given brief hope when the deficit was cut later in the half, West Ham secured all three points with a third goal in the closing stages to secure a first win against the Reds since February 2011.
The opening weeks of the new Premier League campaign have seen West Ham adopt a more forward-thinking approach. That each of the last three league matches had produced four goals - a statistic extended today - was testament to that.
Tactically, it proved United's undoing against a well-drilled Southampton in West Ham's last outing at the Boleyn but today was the antithesis of that Saints defeat, with Liverpool unable to cope at times in the opening half as the Hammers ran amok.
With Stewart Downing working tirelessly to afford Steven Gerrard neither time nor space to spray his customary 60-yard pinpoint passes into dangerous areas, the midfield triumvirate of Noble, Song and Kouyate created an impassable wall behind him.
However it was the central defensive pairing of Tomkins and Reid who combined to convert Downing's free kick from the right with just 69 seconds on the clock to give United a dream start. Tomkins stooped bravely to send the former England man's deep cross back into the centre, where an unmarked Reid found the net from no more than a yard.
Having barely recovered from that blow, the visitors found themselves two down just five minutes later. Noble's enterprising run and pass found Diafra Sakho wide on the right; whether it was deliberate or not only he will know, but the former Metz forward looked up before floating his cross/shot over the head of a bamboozled Simon Mignolet into the far corner of the net.
Having barely managed a shot in the opening 25 minutes, Liverpool could count themselves somewhat fortuitous to claw their way back into the game when Sterling - a rare bright spark on a miserable day for the Merseysiders - found the corner of Adrian's net with stunning accuracy after the ball fell kindly for him just inside the box.
And although both sides enjoyed good spells of possession - West Ham mostly before the break, Liverpool mainly after - it wasn't until the 88th minute that this enticing contest was finally settled. Once again it was one of West Ham's summer signings - the very last one - who provided the decisive touch.
On as a second half replacement for the spent Alex Song, winger Morgan Amalfitano, signed on transfer deadline day impudently toe-poked the ball into the net having been set through on goal by a wonderful, defence-splitting pass from Downing (who celebrated the goal like a player with a point to prove).
The Frenchman's goal was West Ham's tenth of the season and the sixth scored by a new signing (no assistance necessary re: percentages there). Sakho, who has scored in each of the last three games leads the way whilst Enner Valencia and Mauro Zarate, like Amalfitano, have one each.
It's a vast improvement that is apparent throughout the squad. Cheik Kouyate and Alex Song are proving to be astute signings in the centre of the park whilst Aaron Cresswell - who bar the odd stray pass, had a solid game today - is also looking to be a good prospect.
And it's a sign of progress that many of Allardyce's critics are having second thoughts regarding their stance on his continued employment - and why wouldn't they, with most of their complaints apparently addressed. Long ball? Not much evidence of that this year. Respect the point? Not so much. Entertaining football? Very much so.
Long may it continue. Next up, a trip to Old Trafford where West Ham haven't won since that glorious day in May 2007 when Carlos Tevez's goal secured a 1-0 win and ensured the club's continued participation in the Premiership...
* Something to say about this story? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.
