Author Topic: (Into ET) West Ham 2-1 Liverpool (Antonio '45 Coutinho '48) (Read 67792 times)

Greebo62 · « **on:** February 9, 2016, 06:40:45 pm »

With grateful thanks to Zlen

Quote from: Zlen on February 7, 2016, 01:51:43 pm

So, fast approaching is the game we were hoping to avoid.
It wasn't to be though, as a very young team we fielded last Saturday fought hard but was denied a victory.
Final result was 0-0 and this means that the tie will be settled on West Hams ground in little over two days.

Cameron Brannagan - playing like he means it

Our youth played well and more then held their ground in the last match.
It was good to see them strut about with intent and courage. Standout performers were probably Brannagan and Smith, though Teixeira and Stewart weren't far behind. We were clearly better then West Ham, with superior control of the game, more shots and chances, but verve and intent shown by kids wasn't matched by more regular and senior players - a theme that culminated in Aspasesque free kick by Jose Enrique in the closing moments of the game. No hard feelings though - the positives I took from this match far outweigh obvious problems we have with some players and their confidence and/or quality.

When did it all go wrong Jose?

Now we're about to head into the replay - once again severely crippled by injuries though this time with a glimmer of hope by the possible return of at least Sturridge - who is expected to feature in at least a part of this game after he was on the bench against Sunderland. Klopps hand is probably forced by the amount of games and injuries we're carrying - I expect once again to see a mixed lineup of youth and fringe players and to be honest I'm looking forward to it.

Kids are alright and though playing away, against a very good team is a very different proposal to the last game - I'm hopeful they'll once again prove that all it really takes is a bit of bad intent and courage - something sorely lacking from most of our 'first team'. these days. Also in light of what happened yesterday, the normally incredible Traveling Kop is probably going to be on yet another level.

Two former defenders with a taste for hard rock/heavy metal - Football is in good hands

There is so much we can still do this season - though our League campaign is looking bleak and disheartening.
But we have to start somewhere, we have to grind out hard fought victories and do it in testing times.
This game could be a great pivot point for us - let's use it.

I hope that those who step on to the pitch on Tuesday have at least 77 reasons not to accept anything less then a victory.
Style can come later - grit has to come now.

Send any insightful or witty observations, banter or comments to the commentary team by PM please, but avoid the current commentator as they may not have time to access PM's while watching the match and touch typing!!

Greebo62 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 9, 2016, 07:43:43 pm »

Welcome to tonight's commentary. Unfortunately for those watching on BT Sport, the welsh midget is your co-commentator. My advice is mute the sound and follow the commentary on RAWK

Greebo62 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 9, 2016, 07:44:31 pm »

Minutes applause for the late Ron Greenwood, who always seemed a gent to me

L666KOP · « **Reply #3 on:** February 9, 2016, 07:45:08 pm »

BERIEVE REDMEN !!!

Greebo62 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 9, 2016, 07:45:10 pm »

0' and we're off, LFC playing all in white

Greebo62 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 9, 2016, 07:46:23 pm »

0' Break straight away as Benteke combines with Ibe and Texeira nut Tex is bundled away from it in the box

Greebo62 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 9, 2016, 07:48:20 pm »

2' West Ham work a throw down our right flank but Noble punts it out. GK

Greebo62 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 9, 2016, 07:51:17 pm »

4' good possession play leads to Smith getting forweard his cross is cleared, but we come again. Chirivella, Tex and Stewart all involved nicely

Greebo62 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 9, 2016, 07:52:58 pm »

6' Benteke gets free in the box, but delays and West Ham get back, don't know why he didn't shoot there...

Greebo62 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 9, 2016, 07:53:54 pm »

8' Payet gets a cross in from our right but Mignolet collects

24/7 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 9, 2016, 07:55:21 pm »

Quote from: Greebo62 on February 9, 2016, 07:53:54 pm

8' Payet gets a cross in from our right but Mignolet collects

......confidently and comfortably for the 2nd time so far, Half the pre-match thread will be most disappointed as it doesn't fit the zeitgeist narrative. Still, early days, eh lads?

Greebo62 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 9, 2016, 07:56:02 pm »

10' Loudest cheer from WH fans of the night so far when Smith faols to keep a bouncing ball in. We've been on top so far. Travelling fans clearly heard on the sound

SP · « **Reply #12 on:** February 9, 2016, 07:56:49 pm »

The line ups tonight:

West Ham: Randolph, O'Brien, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Kouyate, Noble, Obiang, Antonio, Valencia, Payet. Subs: Carroll, Adrian, Collins, Moses, Oxford, Cullen, Parfitt-Williams.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Flanagan, Stewart, Tiago Ilori, Smith, Teixeira, Lucas, Chirivella, Ibe, Benteke, Coutinho. Subs: Jose Enrique, Milner, Henderson, Sturridge, Origi, Ward, Randall.

Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire)

Greebo62 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 9, 2016, 07:58:25 pm »

12' WH get a bit of possession but end up running it out for a throw in to us by the LH corner flag. Ibe picks it up and does well through the middleand we eventually get a corner

Greebo62 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:00:04 pm »

14' Corner is won by Benteke and after a scramble we get another. Benteke treis a voley off this one, saved, and we get another but Ibe loses it eventually. Good spell though

24/7 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:00:33 pm »

Best two corners of our season, I reckon

Greebo62 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:01:24 pm »

15' WH hit the post and somehow we scramble it away. Joey Obrien tried his luck and it deflects off Lucas onto the post.

Greebo62 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:03:53 pm »

17' A spell of decent possession ends with a WH throw and we see replays of a penalty shout we might have had but it clearly hits the players elbow at his side. No intent

justsean · « **Reply #18 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:06:15 pm »

20 - Antonio breaks through our midfield and nearly plays in Valencia but there isn't enough on his pass. Liverpool manage to clear.

L666KOP · « **Reply #19 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:06:25 pm »

James Collins looks like he belongs on death row.

24/7 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:07:14 pm »

Thanks to Greebo for..............filling in..............for shorn

Greebo62 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:07:31 pm »

21' Game has gone a bit pin ball with posession being exchanged frequently. Smith misjudges a bouncing ball when trying to intercept and its a free kick for handball about 40 yo#ards out. We clear for a corner.

justsean · « **Reply #22 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:07:51 pm »

22 - Harsh handball against Smith. Free kick to West Ham half way inside the Liverpool half out on the right hand side. This is being punted into the box..

justsean · « **Reply #23 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:08:10 pm »

23 - Payet takes and Ilori clears for a corner.

justsean · « **Reply #24 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:08:52 pm »

24 - Corner cleared by Liverpool but only as far as Payet, who goes down rather easily and the ball runs out for a throw in.

Greebo62 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:08:56 pm »

23' Corner defended... wuite well I'd say but we lose possession again, but so do WH giving us another throwin

24/7 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:09:48 pm »

Klopp said he woke up from his op in the 78th minute..............fucking jinx

Greebo62 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:09:56 pm »

Hello Shorn... nice of you to join us...

justsean · « **Reply #28 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:10:56 pm »

25 - Liverpool press West Ham into booting the ball out for a throw deep in their own work. Amounts to nothing but good work from our lads none the less.

24/7 · « **Reply #29 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:11:24 pm »

Quote from: Greebo62 on February 9, 2016, 08:09:56 pm

Hello Shorn... nice of you to join us...

He fought hard to get here on time. Tooth and nail, you might say.....

justsean · « **Reply #30 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:12:21 pm »

26 - Very good chance for Liverpool. Smith on the overlap is in behind the West Ham defence. He puts the ball across the box but Ibe's touch lets him down and the ball runs behind him. Liverpool still manage to work it out to Ibe but the ball is eventually lost and Stewart ends up fouling West Ham before they can build a break. He gets a yellow card for his troubles.

24/7 · « **Reply #31 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:13:30 pm »

Bit harsh that yellow, I feel - would have been practically impossible to halt his momentum and he had his eye on the ball in my view. Hate it when refs pull out the cards too early - because in a high stakes game, the challenges tend to get a bit more committed as the game goes on. Makes it harder to let anything else go once the benchmark has been set.

justsean · « **Reply #32 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:14:27 pm »

29 - Ibe filling in for Flanagan at right back and clears our lines. Benteke fouls when chasing down the ball

Greebo62 · « **Reply #33 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:14:36 pm »

Quote from: 24/7 on February 9, 2016, 08:11:24 pm

He fought hard to get here on time. Tooth and nail, you might say.....

Well he has the commie crown now....

justsean · « **Reply #34 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:16:02 pm »

29 - Great chance for Liverpool again. Smith in acres of Space at the West Ham byline again after a nicely timed pass from Coutinho. He pulls the ball back and it ends up at Teixeira's feet. I was waiting for his shot on the half volley to russle against the net, but it was a foot wide.

Greebo62 · « **Reply #35 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:16:04 pm »

Some seriously nice one touch football between Coutinho, Teixera and Stewart. Good to see...

24/7 · « **Reply #36 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:16:52 pm »

Two exceedingly good runs from Smith so far in this game, with decent balls in too. Shame we lack the composure in front of goal to capitalise on that. How we miss Suárez - and Sturridge for that matter......

L666KOP · « **Reply #37 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:16:55 pm »

I'm braced for action, been filling in with a good brushing.

L666KOP · « **Reply #38 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:17:53 pm »

32' Benteke halts his run as he realises he'll be flagged.
Replay shows he was right to, just 5 yards off.

24/7 · « **Reply #39 on:** February 9, 2016, 08:18:03 pm »

I hope shorn's okay - he seems a bit rinsed.