West Ham 2 Liverpool FC 3 - Reds enjoy London success

Dec 10 2012

Liverpool's Jonjo Shelvey celebrates after West Ham United's James Collins scores and own goal, Liverpools third goal of the game during the Barclays Premier League match at Upton Park, London

LIVERPOOL climbed into the top half of the Premier League table for the first time this season after producing a gutsy late fightback to clinch a 3-2 victory over West Ham at Upton Park.

The Reds led early on courtesy of Glen Johnson's stunning strike but they were rocked before at half-time as first Mark Noble equalised from the penalty spot and then Steven Gerrard nodded into his own net.

With Luis Suarez serving a one-match ban, Brendan Rodgers' side were short of firepower and they struggling to find a way back into the contest.

However, with 14 minutes to go substitute Joe Cole fired home to make it 2-2 before James Colllins' own goal handed the Reds maximum points.

It's the first time this season Liverpool have clinched back to back league wins and they are up to 10th in the table.

Gerrard, Lucas Leiva and Daniel Agger returned to the Liverpool side after being left out of the squad which had travelled to Italy for the Europa League game against Udinese in midweek.

There were also starts for Raheem Sterling and Jonjo Shelvey as Jamie Carragher, Suso, Jordan Henderson, Nuri Sahin and Suarez were replaced.

The Hammers went into the game on a high after a 3-1 home win over Chelsea a week earlier. Sam Allardyce made two changes with Mohamed Diame and Matt Taylor called up in place of James Tomkins and Gary O'Neil.

There was an early scare for the Reds after they failed to deal with Matt Jarvis' cross and Diame's effort struck Carlton Cole and bounced narrowly wide.

However, the Reds soon settled and they took the lead in breathtaking fashion in the 11th minute. Johnson burst down the right, cut inside past Jarvis and unleashed an unstoppable 20-yarder into the top corner.

It was the third successive occasion that the in-form full-back had netted against his former club.

Buoyed by the breakthrough, the Reds grew in confidence and should have swiftly added to their tally.

Collins' hurried clearance was pounced on by Sterling but he failed to hit the target.

Johnson continued to shine and once again he burst past Jarvis and into the penalty area. The right-back unselfishly teed up Sterling but the teenager blazed wide from 12 yards.

Liverpool were forced into a change before the half hour mark as Jose Enrique was forced off due to a hamstring injury. Joe Cole came on with Downing moving to left-back.