Why

Within minutes of Liverpool kicking off, it became clear that the match was there for winning. West Ham in all honesty, had left their hearts in East London and gave the impression that the game was just an inconvenience that they had to put up with. Torres, Ngog , Kuyt and Maxi were running rings around their defence and it was miracle that a goal was not scored earlier than it was. When the first one came though, it was the result of a wonderful run by Johnson, whose final touch saw the back of net. He was back and had in that moment silenced his critics and hopefully put a stop to the malicious rumours that had been circulating during the week. The Kop of course were now in full voice and it was wonderful to hear and will be one of the memories that the outgoing chairman Martin Broughton, will remember from his tenure at the club.

With Liverpool in total command of the game, the West Ham players looked towards Avram Grant, who cut a very lonely and worried man on the bench. He though seemed to be in a world of his own and with nothing forthcoming the players just seemed to fold under the pressure and Gabbidon, who had been chasing Torres. He accidently chipped the ball with his arm as it went flying past and referee Mr Probert awarded Liverpool a penalty.

This would be taken by Dirk Kuyt, who had it transpired after the game, taken advice from Stevie G to shoot straight for the middle. It went in and it was now virtually game over. This seemed to sap what little confidence, the West Ham players had and as much as I hate to say it, I am sure eleven schoolboys could have played better. In the opposite direction, Liverpool though were on fire and with the passing that was taking place, it was not long before Maxi got hold of the ball and fired a wonderful shot into the goal.

The score line was now 3-0 to Liverpool and proved to be the final nail in the coffin for the travelling West Ham supporters, who were seen leaving the ground before the half time whistle had been blown.

Would we continue playing in this way during the second half, were the words on the minds of several people I spoke to during the half time interval? Liverpool does have a habit of being able to play one half and not the other, and to watch West Ham break through our defence and score would have been horrific. Avram Grant did make a substitution during the break and changed the formation, but the team still did not seem up to the challenge.

Even though, as is the norm, Liverpool did take their foot of the pedal and set about defending the lead rather than to increase it, they were still in total of control of the game. There were some wonderful moves by the team and although Torres had yet to score, people were willing for it to happen. But alas yesterday for him was one of those days, he had some wonderful shorts at the goal including one that proved, Robert Green could at some point become the England goalie.

As the match drew to a close , Liverpool substituted Torres , Ngog and Meireles with Ryan Babel, Fabio Aurelio and JonJo Shelvey. They all immediately became embroiled in the action and Aurelio showed what he could do, if the injuries he receives could be kept at bay. Jonjo is a youngster, who is still learning his trade and will make a contribution as the years go by, providing of course he is not sold on. Ryan Babel who has over the last few years, been given countless chances of proving that he can be a Liverpool player, did have a couple of good runs plus a long shot, but no goal came and the match ended with Liverpool winning yet again at home.

Next week we have Tottenham away and with Roy's bad away record, the question of course is what side of his Jekyll and Hyde character will appear. We really need to win the game and continue the march up the table. Time of course will tell what happens and I can only hope that I am able to write something positive again about the team.