Hammers V Liverpool



Hammers take their second trip up to Lancashire in a week, on Saturday, to take on Liverpool at Anfield. The famous ground has not been kind to West Ham United, and they have in fact, not won there for 42 years!

The last Hammers victory in front of the Kop, came on September 14, 1963.
Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters, three years shy of the World Cup, both struck to give Ron Greenwoods side a 2-1 win.

That match was one of only three games ever won away at Liverpool by West Ham. On September 4, nine years earlier, the Hammers also won 2-1, with Harry Hooper and Dave Sexton on the score sheet, and in February 1928 West Ham won 3-1. Alfred Earl, Vivian Gibbins and legend Jimmy Ruffell got the goals.

Since the Premiership began West Ham United have managed three draws at Anfield, but two of those were 0-0. The most memorable encounter of recent years came in 1999, when Harry Redknapp's side drew 2-2.

Robbie Fowler put the Reds into the lead, but Frank Lampard equalised two minutes later from the penalty spot. Michael Owen restored the Merseysider's lead, but Marc Keller curled a 74th minute corner straight in past keeper David James.

Trevor Sinclair could have won the match for West Ham United at the death, but he blazed over the bar with only the keeper to beat. The match also featured trialst Gavin Holligan who also raced through, but left the opportunity to the more senior Sinclair.

Although the Hammers have had some tough times against Liverpool away from Upton Park, in 1981 newly promoted West Ham United held the then mighty Liverpool to a 1-1 draw in the League Cup Final at Wembley.

Alan Kennedy's strike appeared to be enough for the Reds, but with only moments to go, Billy Bonds won a free kick on the edge of the box. Ray Stewart's fierce drive forced a corner. And when Alvin Martin's header was travelling goal bound, Terry McDermott's hand knocked it over the bar.

Stewart dispatched the resultant penalty and the massive underdogs had earned a replay. The Hammers, however, went down 2-1 at Villa Park. Paul Goddard struck for West Ham, but goals from Kenny Dalglish and Alan Hansen were too much.