West Ham pulled off the biggest shock of the week as they defeated Liverpool 3-2 at the London Stadium to end the Reds’ 25-match unbeaten run and climb above them into third place, level on points with Manchester City.
West Ham took the lead after only four minutes in fortuitous fashion after a costly mistake by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson. West Ham’s Spanish midfielder Pablo Fornals played in an early corner, and the Brazilian goalkeeper let the ball slip through his hands and into the net. The goal was confirmed after a VAR check by referee Craig Pawson.
The Hammers settled into a compact shape as they attempted to hold on to their slender advantage and very nearly did so, but were undone in the closing minutes of the first half.
Mohamed Salah was upended just outside the West Ham box, and the Egyptian teed up Trent Alexander-Arnold’s majestic 41st minute freekick to draw Liverpool level with Lukasz Fabianski stranded.
West Ham came close to getting back in front early in the second half as captain Declan Rice crashed a header off the crossbar, before Sadio Mane forced Fabianski into a brilliant save at the other end.
The Hammers finally got their noses in front after a brilliant counterattack. English winger Jarrod Bowen picked up the ball inside West Ham’s half and proceeded to drive through what was left of Liverpool’s midfield and defence before playing in Fornals to slide a finish beyond Alisson in the 67th minute.
West Ham doubled their advantage following yet another corner in the 74th minute to stun Liverpool. Bowen put in a brilliant in-swinging corner from which French defender Kurt Zouma planted a firm header past Alisson from a tight angle.
Liverpool pulled another goal back through substitute striker Divock Origi in the 83rd minute to set up a grandstand finish. Salah’s shot was blocked and fell into the path of Belgium international Origi, who swivelled and fired his effort past Fabianski to halve the deficit.
Mane missed a great chance to equalise for Liverpool with virtually the last kick of the game as the Hammers held on for a deserved win in front of their own fans.
West Ham have now climbed above Liverpool into third place on 23 points, the same as second-placed Manchester City. Liverpool have lost a match for the first time since April, when they lost to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, a run of 25 matches that spanned seven months.
