Andy Carroll scored against his former team as West Ham United made it back-to-back wins by seeing off Liverpool 2-0 in the first Premier League game of 2016 this afternoon.
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The first half had a total of 21 shots - the second-most of any Premier League game this season - and the first of those was from Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe, who pulled a 20-yard effort just wide after three minutes.
Soon after West Ham took the lead when Michail Antonio, after sliding in to tackle Alberto Moreno at the other end, powered home a header from Enner Valencia's cross after the Ecuadorian had charged down the right and made the most of Moreno being stricken on the turf.
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Manuel Lanzini was making his first West Ham start in over a month and almost doubled the hosts' lead with a swerving strike that cannoned back off the post before he appeared to re-injure his thigh later in the half and had to go off.
Liverpool striker Christian Benteke had scored the only goal of the game in the club's last two matches, but he had little joy on their last trip to the Boleyn Ground, with his first touch letting him down on several occasions.
The visitors' only shot on target in the opening period came when Roberto Firmino prodded straight at Adrian from close range after a goalmouth scramble, although Emre Can was centimetres from the equaliser in first-half injury time when his curling effort from 20 yards hit the angle of post and crossbar.
Liverpool were all over West Ham at the start of the second half and Benteke sliced wide a good chance before the home side doubled their lead against the run of play.
Hammers captain Mark Noble whipped the ball over from the right flank and there was Carroll to power home a header.
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After going two down Liverpool had to throw more men forward, and it was West Ham who went close to scoring the third and killing the game off when Aaron Cresswell crossed for Carroll and his header was kept out by Mignolet, who was also able to smother Antonio's effort from the rebound.
Liverpool saw plenty of the ball in the closing 20 minutes and Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen were guilty of missing excellent chances, while at the other end West Ham could have made it three as both Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate were denied by Mignolet.
With three points, West Ham leapfrog Liverpool and move up to fifth for the time being.
Pascal Lemesre
