FA Cup: West Ham United 2-1 Liverpool (a.e.t) - Five Talking Points

Italy international Angelo Ogbonna scored at the death as West Ham sunk Liverpool and progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup.In their fourth meeting of the season, the Hammers took the lead at the stroke of half-time through Michail Antonio,before Philippe Coutinho restored parity for the visitors with an impeccably taken freekick.The game ended all square at full time and just when penalty shoot-out loomed, Ogbonna rose highest to meet Dimitri Payet’s free kick and headed home for West Ham’s third success over the Reds this season. They now take on championship side Blackburn Rovers away on 21st of this month.Let’s get to the bottom of the major issues spruced up at Upton Park last evening.

#1 West Ham remain a thorn in Liverpool\'s side

West Ham players celebrate after scoring

West Ham and Liverpool tussled on four occasions this season, and amusingly, the former have emerged victorious on 3 of them. The Hammers have always been rolled over by the Reds as history would suggest, but it seems they’ve successfully come out of their shadows under Slaven Bilic’s stewardship.

West Ham first humiliated Liverpool with a thumping 3-0 victory at Anfield on match day 2 in the Premier League, and completed their first league double over the Merseyside rivals in 52 years after a 2-0 win at home last month. They then held the Reds to a goalless stalemate in their first leg of FA Cup clash, and now inflicted a triple whammy after their 2-1 success.

The Irons have been playing to the gallery under their new manager and have caused several scalps against the bigger teams in the division, especially Liverpool.

#2 Benteke fluffs his lines

Christian Benteke was guilty of missing many chances

Liverpool striker Christian Benteke held the torch upfront for the visitors, but failed to be the guiding light. The Belgian was too profligate on the night and squandered several opportunities upfront that would eventually cost his side.

Benteke saw several gilt-edged chances come his way, but was unable to take even one of them. He threatened to score when he teed up with Coutinho midway in the first half, but could drag a shot only against the bar. In the extra time, the striker was put clean on through against West Ham ‘keeper Darren Randolph, but failed to beat him.

Liverpool had to splurge £32million to lure him away from Aston Villa, but Benteke's flop show in the game showed he's yet to repay the hefty sum.

#3 The return of Coutinho and Sturridge vital for Reds

Coutinho was on target for the Reds

To plot Liverpool's campaign against a graph, the number of many crests and troughs that would arise is simply overwhelming. The red half of Merseyside have been in and out of form, failing to find any sort of consistency in their surge.

In such a case, the timely return of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge provides a much needed boost. The duo returned from their respective injuries and left some mark in the game.

Coutinho was one of the better players going forward from the visiting team, and even threw a lifeline for his side with a brilliantly taken free kick. His replacement, Sturridge, brought a sense of flair in the attack as Liverpool looked more dangerous after his arrival.

With Europa League ties and the League Cup final on the horizon, choppy waters ahead for Liverpool and the likes of Coutinho and Sturridge couldn't have returned any sooner.

#4 Mignolet shines under the bar

Simon Mignolet has been under a lot of pressure to perform

If Benteke was disappointing, then Liverpool custodian Simon Mignolet was equally impressive. The Belgium international pulled a string of stops to deny West Ham on numerous occasions and kept his side alive in the tie.

The 27-year old was on his toes and repelled most of the things that came his way. Guarding the net with authority, Mignolet was on hand to prevent West Ham from scoring from set-pieces many a time, but was rendered helpless during the 2 goals that he conceded.

Mignolet has been a subject of criticism from the fans and media alike, for all the blunders he's committed in the league games. However, after an encouraging performance in last evening, has managed to shush out his naysayers for now.

#5 West Ham are more than just Payet

West Ham are not a one man team

There's been a general consensus this season that West Ham's success under Bilic is largely down to their prolific attacker Dimitri Payet. The French international is touted to carry the club on his back and without him; the Hammers wouldn't have enjoyed the run they've been for much of this season.

However, if this victory was anything to go by, then it isn’t wrong to suggest that they are much more than just Payet.

The East London outfit looked more like a team and worked their way to the win in tandem. Apart from Payet, Michail Antonio and Enner Valencia posed big threats in the attack and caused Liverpool all sorts of problems. And although the defence appeared shaky sometimes, they did manage to nip any danger in the bud.

Manager Slaven Bilic is doing an admirable job with his new team and in this vein, stand a glorious chance of steering his side to a European place at the end of the season.