Liverpool grabbed the victory that ensured themselves of a UEFA Cup place
for next season with a devastating display at Anfield.
Maybe boss Roy Evans should lose his temper with his under-achieving squad
more often, because their response to the public verbal bashing he gave them at
Stamford Bridge last weekend clearly touched a few nerves.
Liverpool were a disgrace in that 4-1 humiliation by Chelsea, who took over
third spot in the championship from the Merseysiders in the process.
Evans accused his men of ™throwing in the towelš at Chelsea...no doubt
Harry Redknapp felt the same about his men after this embarrassment.
A week later, Liverpool took out their frustrations on another London side,
went third again and damaged West Ham's own European dreams.
From West Ham's point of view, much of what happened to them was
self-inflicted with some woeful defending.
But that would take much of the credit from a patched up Liverpool side
missing Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler, Jamie Redknapp, Dominic Matteo and Rob
Jones.
Liverpool's display was as good as they have managed in months. Their lack
of consistency has seen them fall away in the title race, and when Evans
witnesses performances like this he must hardly know whether to laugh or cry!
Yes they can destroy teams, no they can't do it every week.
Much of the Liverpool improvement was down to the pace and cutting edge of
Michael Owen, back from suspension, and on the score sheet inside four minutes.
Hammers' horror defending started with ex-Everton man David Unsworth
gifting the ball to Bjorn Kvarme, who sent Owen away for the England star to
finish clinically inside Bernard Lama's far post.
The last time Lama was at Anfield he was on the losing side, but help Paris
St. Germain reach the European Cup Winners' Cup Final in the process at the end
of last season.
He had a great game that night, but there was little he could do against
the barrage that rained down on him in a shattering first half.
After Owen's opener, Jason Mcteer marked the 200th league game of his
career with two fine first half goals.
Back for his first senior game since breaking his leg in January, McAteer
struck after 20 minutes when he blazed a 20 yarder past Lama, the ball bouncing
viciously in front of the French 'keeper, after an Oyvind Leonhardsen shot had
been blocked.
Six minutes later Lama brought down Owen in the box with a despairing dive,
but referee Jeff Winter allowed an excellent advantage which saw McAteer steer
home the loose ball. Lama was booked for his troubles before the re-start.
The fourth came a minute from the break when Leonhardsen was allowed to
control the ball and turn on the edge of the box following a Stig Bjornebye
pass, before firing right footed into the bottom corner.
Apart from Lama, West Ham also had Rio Ferdinand, Trevor Sinclair and Eyal
Berkovic booked in a traumatic half.
Paul Ince had received the expected abuse from West Ham fans early on, and
exacted perfect revenge after 61 minutes when he drilled a stunning 25 yarder
past Lama.
Owen's contest with fellow England hopeful Ferdinand was an interesting
side show. Both have great pace and vision, but Owen won the battle and could
have scored a couple more.
Unsworth got himself booked for pulling back Owen and to complete West
Ham's nightmare day, John Moncur was taken off with a leg injury after a Jamie
Carragher tackle.
Manny Omoyinmi came on as substitute with West Ham just wishing they could
escape back down the M6 with no further damage to their pride.
Teams:
Liverpool: Friedel, Kvarme, McAteer, Babb, Leonhardsen, Harkness,
Riedle, Ince, Owen, Bjornebye, Carragher.
Subs Not Used: James, Berger, Murphy, Gudnason, Roberts.
Booked: Babb.
Goals: Owen 4, McAteer 21, 25, Leonhardsen 45, Ince 61.
West Ham: Lama, Unsworth, Sinclair, Kitson (Mean 84), Lomas,
Ferdinand, Moncur (Omoyimni 75), Lazaridis, Lampard, Pearce,
Berkovic (Abou 52).
Subs Not Used: Forrest, Berthe.
Booked: Lama, Berkovic, Sinclair, Ferdinand, Unsworth.
Att: 44,414
Ref: J T Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).
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