Opinion from the stands

Which player looked “the real deal” against Liverpool? Report and player ratings from The Boleyn Ground

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West Ham left it late to snatch the win against Liverpool and seal their place in the Fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup. Ogbonna headed past Mignolet late on in extra time from Payet’s free kick to send the home fans delirious and win a thrilling contest at The Boleyn Ground.

There was a real slow start to the game, as Liverpool dominated the opening exchanges. A couple of corners caused havoc and after a very ambitious penalty shout, Benteke’s volley was well saved by Randolph in the West Ham goal.

West Ham started to grow into the game with 15 minutes played. Payet’s lay off found Joey O’Brien in space on the right and his deflected right foot strike cannoned off the post with Mignolet stranded. The most unlikely of players to pop up nearly put us in front.

West Ham looked out of sorts, similar to recent form, throughout the first half. Texeira should of punished more slack defending, and any sort of cross into the box was causing too many problems.

Benteke then set up Coutinho to hit the post when he should have scored after a mistake from Reid, and then Benteke was unmarked at the following corner with Randolph saving again. The defence was missing Collin’s dominance in the air.

We finally started to settle on the ball in the last 10 minutes of the first half. Kouyate won a free kick in Payet territory, and the Frenchman stepped up and curled one onto the post via a touch from Mignolet. It was a terrific effort, and the woodwork was taking a bit of a battering in the first half.

Just before half time, the game had the goal that it deserved and we were 1-0 up courtesy of a Antonio cracker. Payet found Valencia in the box, who waltzed past a couple of Liverpool defenders and his cross found Antonio at the back post. The winger still had a lot to do, but cushioned a glorious first time volley across Mignolet into the top corner. It was a great time to score, and gave us a lead at the half time break.

Football Soccer- West Ham United v Liverpool - FA Cup Fourth Round Replay - Upton Park - 9/2/16
Michail Antonio celebrates with team mates after scoring the first goal for West Ham
Action Images via Reuters / Matthew Childs
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Two minutes into the second half, Liverpool were level through Coutinho’s free kick. The wall jumped and Coutinho slipped it under them all and into the corner. Randolph was left stranded as it rolled into the West Ham net. A dreadful start to the second half.

Benteke had another chance after 55 minutes, and should probably have scored again. Liverpool were getting chances far too easily and it took a good block to deny the Belgian again. Sturridge came on before the hour for Coutinho.

There was another goalmouth scramble, this time in Liverpool’s penalty area as Mignolet couldn’t hold a Payet cross. No West Ham player could capitalise on it.

Reid pulled his hamstring just after the hour and James Collins had to replace him. Hopefully he won’t be out for too long, as we need him at the heart of our defence.

With 65 minutes played, there was a massive West Ham penalty shout denied by referee Roger East. Antonio’s outrageous touch and cross caused all kinds of problems, with Valencia being pulled to the ground before he could make contact with the ball. An absolute stonewall decision, somehow not given.

Kouyate was the next player to go down injured after a clash of heads with Jon Flanagan. Kouyate wanted to stay on, but the medical team had to rightfully rule against it. Andy Carroll, rather belatedly, came on in his place. Let’s hope that is just a cautionary substitution.

Ibe nearly won it for Liverpool in injury time, but for another Randolph save to deny him. It was the last action of note in an eventful 90 minutes, with extra time and possibly penalties needed to settle the match.

Noble’s curling effort was beaten away by Mignolet in extra time before Benteke spurned two chances in a minute. The first he dragged wide and after being sent through on goal a massive Randolph save denied him again. Randolph had another great game in the West Ham goal. Benteke then headed over from 10 yards. The defence all match didn’t look quite as assured as usual, but Randolph was in fine form to bail them out on several occasions.

Into the second half of extra time, and Sturridge was the latest player to try his luck after Collins and Ogbonna backed off. Just over. We were far more direct in the first half, with Valencia up front, then when Carroll came on. This is a bit of an odd one, because with Lucas playing centre back you’d have to fancy the big man if the ball is played in the air.

Valencia took a heavy challenge from Lucas, and he was the next player to receive treatment for West Ham. He limped back on, but didn’t look comfortable.

As extra time came to an end it took fantastic blocks from Noble and then Collins to deny Liverpool.

But it was the Hammers who had the final say in a pulsating match. 120 minutes played and West Ham won a free kick in a decent area. Payet put in a glorious delivery and Ogbonna was at the back post to thump a header across Mignolet. It was a stunning header that followed a great performance from Ogbonna, but more importantly it put us into the next round of the FA Cup. The Boleyn Ground erupted, with no one celebrating more than Slaven Bilic. The spirit and never say die attitude in the squad is incredible.

Football Soccer- West Ham United v Liverpool - FA Cup Fourth Round Replay - Upton Park - 9/2/16
Angelo Ogbonna celebrates scoring the second goal for West Ham
Reuters / Eddie Keogh
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Next up is Blackburn away in the cup, where spirits will be high. Nothing beats a last minute winner.

COYI

Player Ratings

Randolph – 8 – A real contender for man of the match. Terrific saves and appeared to have a duel with Benteke which the Irishman won. Are there any better second choice keepers out there?

O’Brien – 6 – Works hard, but was cut apart and times and lacks pace to recover. Had a deflected shot that hit the post.

Reid – 6 – A couple of mistakes unlike him and went off injured. Not his best, but hopefully he won’t be out for too long.

Ogbonna – 8- Matchwinner, and a top performance. Some crucial late blocks, and a thunderbolt header to decide the tie. Stepped up when we needed him.

Cresswell – 6 – Up and down the left hand side all night long, not bad defensively. Delivery not up to it’s usual standards though.

Noble – 7 – Continued a decent run of form and had a few opportunities himself.

Obiang – 7.5 – Another great performance from Obiang, he really has stepped up recently. Needs a run in the midfield.

Kouyate – 6.5 – Another play that went off injured. Worked hard, but couldn’t dominate like he usually does.

Antonio – 8 – What a finish from Antonio. Full of tricks, works hard and can finish. If he continues to improve he could be the real deal.

Valencia – 7 – Good energy and pace to assist the opening goal, caused problems when he finally got the ball. Isolated through most of the first half and needs someone with him up top.

Payet – 6.5 – Not his best, looks like he’s lacking a bit of belief. However, could have scored a free kick which was inches away and got his cross right for the winner.

Substitutes

Collins – 6.5 – Made a huge block when Sturridge looked certain to score. Standard.

Carroll – 6 – Not the most effective, but still gave Lucas and Ilori a headache when he came on.

Moses – 5 – Struggling at the moment, not bringing much to this team in all honesty.

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