Review

Liverpool climb to sixth with comeback win at West Ham

26 Apr 2023

Reds boost European hopes, while Forest move out of relegation zone and Brentford beat Chelsea

Liverpool came from behind to beat West Ham United 2-1, climbing to sixth in the race for Europe thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo and Joel Matip.

WHU

1-2

LIV

It was hard work for the visitors as West Ham took the lead through an excellent Lucas Paqueta goal from 25 yards.

But that lead only lasted six minutes as Gakpo also netted from range after receiving a pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has now produced five assists in his last four outings.

Jarrod Bowen thought he had given West Ham the lead again, but his strike was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

Instead, it was Liverpool who grabbed the winner as Matip rose highest to head home Andrew Robertson’s 67th-minute corner.

The Reds’ third consecutive win takes them to 53 points, six off the top four. West Ham drop to 14th on 37 points.

See: Which teams can qualify for UEFA competitions

Position Pos	Club	Played Pl	GD	Points Pts
3	Manchester United MUN	38	+15	75
4	Newcastle United NEW	38	+35	71
5	Liverpool LIV	38	+28	67
6	Brighton & Hove Albion BHA	38	+19	62
7	Aston Villa AVL	38	+5	61
8	Tottenham Hotspur TOT	38	+7	60

Forest boost safety hopes

Brighton & Hove Albion found themselves on the other end of a turnaround, with their own hopes of European qualification taking a hit as they scored first but lost 3-1 at Nottingham Forest, who climbed out of the relegation zone.

NFO

3-1

BHA

Forest missed a great chance to go in front as Brennan Johnson’s penalty was saved by Jason Steele, with Steve Cooper's side missing a third spot-kick in a row.

Brighton took full advantage as 18-year-old Facundo Buonanotte scored his first goal for the Seagulls in his first start, reacting quickly when Keylor Navas parried Solly March's low shot.

But Forest levelled in first-half stoppage time when Renan Lodi’s cross was deflected in to his own net by Pascal Gross.

The home side completed the turnaround midway through the second half as Danilo scored his first goal for the club in his ninth appearance.

Victory sealed when Forest won another penalty, awarded for handball against Lewis Dunk. This time Morgan Gibbs-White stepped up to the spot, and he made no mistake.

Forest's first victory in 12 Premier League matches takes them up to 17th on 30 points. Brighton stay eighth on 49 points.

See: De Bruyne and Haaland put Man City in control in title race

Position Pos	Club	Played Pl	GD	Points Pts
12	Chelsea CHE	38	-9	44
13	Wolverhampton Wanderers WOL	38	-27	41
14	West Ham United WHU	38	-13	40
15	Bournemouth BOU	38	-34	39
16	Nottingham Forest NFO	38	-30	38
17	Everton EVE	38	-23	36
18	Leicester City LEI	38	-17	34
19	Leeds United LEE	38	-30	31
20	Southampton SOU	38	-37	25

Lampard feeling the blues

Frank Lampard’s losing start as Chelsea's caretaker manager stretched to five matches in all competitions as Brentford won at Stamford Bridge for a second successive season.

An own goal from Cesar Azpilicueta gave the visitors the lead, and Bryan Mbeumo then produced an excellent solo goal to seal the 2-0 victory.

Chances were rare for the hosts, with the best opportunities falling to half-time substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but neither of his efforts seriously tested the Brentford goal.

Another defeat for Chelsea leaves them 11th on 39 points, while Brentford move up to ninth on 47 points.

Three more matches on Thursday

The action continues on Thursday, with matches at the top and bottom of the Premier League.

Everton welcome Newcastle United, with the hosts looking to climb of the relegation zone, while the Magpies are aiming to consolidate their position in the top four.

Tottenham Hotspur will also be targeting a much-needed victory in Ryan Mason's first match in his second spell as interim manager as they take on Manchester United.

There is also a huge match at the bottom where south coast rivals Southampton and AFC Bournemouth meet at St Mary's Stadium.