West Ham 2 Liverpool 1: Angelo Ogbonna's late header puts Hammers into fifth round of the FA Cup
Angelo Ogbonna scored a dramatic extra-time winner as West Ham booked an FA Cup fifth round tie against Blackburn with a 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Upton Park.
The Italian centre-back climbed highest to meet Dimitri Payet’s free-kick in stoppage time at the end of the additional 30-minute period to earn the Hammers their third win against the Reds this season.
The Hammers had already completed their first Premier League double over Liverpool in 53 years and Michail Antonio set them on their way once again with a fine volley just before the interval before Philippe Coutinho equalised in the 48th minute.
However, just as the game appeared to be heading for a penalty shoot-out, Ogbonna produced a towering header to score his first goal for the club and send his team into the last 16.
West Ham made five changes with Joey O’Brien making his first start since July following a serious ankle injury. Cheikhou Kouyate also returned after an eye infection while Liverpool recalled Coutinho to the starting line-up for the first time in a month after a hamstring problem.
Jurgen Klopp had claimed Daniel Sturridge was “99 per cent likely” to feature but despite making ten alterations to the team that drew 2-2 against Sunderland, the England striker was left on the bench.
Klopp missed Liverpool’s previous outing after undergoing an emergency operation to remove his appendix and warned prior to the game that he may not be able to celebrate goals with the usual vigour.
Christian Benteke very nearly tested his manager’s health in the 15th minute. Coutinho swung a corner deep to the far post, where Benteke had escaped his marker to meet it but Hammers goalkeeper Darren Randolph spread himself well to keep the ball out.
West Ham responded immediately. Dimitri Payet, the subject of a club statement earlier in the day insisting contract talks were progressing smoothly, fed O’Brien in space just outside the box and his shot deflected off Lucas Leiva and struck the base of Simon Mignolet’s left-hand post.
Joao Carlos Teixeira wasted a presentable opportunity midway through the half after Liverpool broke quickly down the left in a sharp move involving left-back Brad Smith. As the ball broke to the Portuguese youngster 16 yards out, he could only drive an effort well wide of goal.
West Ham then lost the ball cheaply in midfield allowing Liverpool to break three-versus-two. Coutinho forced Benteke wide with his pass but the former Aston Villa striker still found his team-mate with a return ball. Coutinho’s sidefooted effort struck the post and Kevin Stewart’s follow-up effort was deflected behind.
From the resulting corner - in a carbon copy of Liverpool’s first chance of the game - Benteke stole in at the back post but once again Randolph was on hand to keep the home side level.
West Ham almost took the lead in the 38th minute when Jordan Ibe’s needless push on Kouyate gave Payet the chance to line up a free-kick 20 yards out. The Frenchman curled a superb effort at goal which Mignolet did brilliantly to tip onto the post. Kouyate was just unable to contort his body sufficiently to turn home the rebound but Antonio managed to get his head to the loose ball and force it goalwards, only for Mignolet to acrobatically beat the ball clear.
He would bury his next chance. Enner Valencia wriggled clear in the box before getting to the byline and delivering a cross to the back post where Antonio was waiting to steer a controlled yet powerful volley past Mignolet and give the Hammers a lead their strong finish to the opening period deserved.
Liverpool were sent out early for the second half and took three minutes to equalise. Pedro Obiang clipped Benteke as he twisted and turned on the edge of the box and Coutinho gambled on the Hammers wall jumping in unison by firing a low shot straight at them. They obliged, Randolph was stranded and Liverpool were level.
Klopp went for the jugular. Sturridge and Divock Origi came on for Coutinho and Teixeira while the Hammers’ first change was enforced; Reid pulled up clutching his left leg with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and James Collins replaced him.
West Ham should have been awarded a penalty moments later when Tiago Ilori pulled back Valencia as he tried to reach Antonio’s dangerous right-wing cross but referee Roger East was unmoved.
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic, who had been growing increasingly exasperated by less significant decisions going against his team, protested furiously to no avail. Bilic’s mood was not helped by a second change born out of necessity. Kouyate was forced off after a collision with Jon Flanagan and Andy Carroll replaced him.
Sturridge nutmegged Joey O’Brien to win a free kick on the edge of the box with 11 minutes remaining. Coutinho’s withdrawal left Benteke with the opportunity to score but despite finding a path over the wall and beneath the crossbar, Randolph was able to parry his effort to safety.
West Ham’s final change was not of their own choosing either. O’Brien limped off for Victor Moses in the 82nd minute, shortly before Valencia headed over when well placed. Although both sides pushed hard for a winning goal - and were aided in that quest by eight minutes of added time - extra time was required.
Noble has the first opening, curling a 20-yard shot that Mignolet flew to his left to push away before Liverpool created a series of opportunities to kill the game off. Benteke had time to set himself with a volley from a central position 16 yards but he dragged it wide.
He blew an even better chance moments later after a smart one-two with Sturridge put him through on goal but Adrian came out well to block him.
Sturridge fired inches over early on in the second period as Liverpool once again carried the greater threat Ogbonna stole it at the death with a stunning header.
ArticleOgbonna's late header puts West Ham into fifth round of the FA CupWest HamPremier LeagueLiverpoolFA CupAngelo OgbonnaWest Ham 2 Liverpool 1: Angelo Ogbonna's late header puts Hammers into fifth round of the FA CupImagePublishedMedium width1Tuesday, February 9, 2016 - 22:28Match winner: Ogbonna's header booked West Ham's place in the fifth roundOn