A brace from Steven Gerrard handed Liverpool a 2-1 win over West Ham United in an English Premier League match at Upton Park on Sunday.
The result sees Liverpool back to the top of the league table with 74 points from 33 games, one ahead of second placed Chelsea.
The opening half was dominated by Liverpool as they controlled the possession stakes and dictated the flow of play from midfield with Luis Suarez in particular a thorn in the side of West Ham.
In the fourth minute Suarez had the Reds’ first shot on goal, but he saw his 25-yard thunderbolt sail inches over the crossbar.
In the 18th minute Suarez produced a fantastic strike, but saw his effort come off the crossbar.
Two minutes later Suarez turned provider as he slipped Raheem Sterling through on goal, but the Liverpool striker failed to beat the keeper in a one-on-one.
West Ham’s best effort of the half came on the half hour mark when Mark Noble fired a shot from the edge of the box narrowly wide of the target.
Five minutes before the break Liverpool were afforded the chance to go in front when Suarez forced James Tomkins to handle the ball inside the box and the referee pointed the penalty spot.
Steven Gerrard stepped up and made no mistake to give them the lead, 1-0.
The talking point of the half arrived in injury time when West Ham drew level in controversial circumstances.
Simon Mignolet attempted to collect a corner-kick, but appeared to be fouled by Andy Carroll which resulted in the goalkeeper dropping the ball and Guy Demel poking the it home, 1-1.
Initially, the linesman flagged for a foul, but the referee overruled him and let the goal stand.
The second half continued to see Liverpool dominate, but it was West Ham who had the first real chance of the half when Carroll hit the crossbar with an effort in the 61st minute.
Six minutes later, however, and Liverpool were awarded their second penalty after Jon Flanagan was brought down inside the box by Adrian.
Gerrard stepped up for the second time and doubled his side’s lead from the spot, 2-1.
West Ham could not find a second goal as Liverpool picked up all three points.
