Liverpool vs West Ham: Reds Close Gap on Manchester City with Nervy Win Over Hammers

• Sadio Mane’s first-half goal was enough for Liverpool to claim a crucial 1-0 win over West Ham
• The Hammers were worthy opponents on Saturday, March 5 and had some gilt-edged chances in both halves
• The win takes Liverpool to 63 points, three behind Manchester City, who face town rivals in the Manchester derby on Sunday

Liverpool closed the gap to Manchester City to three points thanks to a hard-fought victory over West Ham on Saturday, March 5.

Sadio Mane scored the only goal of the game to ensure his team remains well in the hunt for a second Premier League title in three years.

Despite being the better side, it was not a straightforward win for Liverpool by any stretch, as they were made to work by West ham, who had some decent chances to grab goals.

Notably Pablo Fornals and Manuel Lanzini had gilt-edged chances to score for the visitors.

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How it happened

Liverpool started the game very brightly, with Mohammed Salah finding a chance within the first minute of the game, but his effort went straight at the goalkeeper.

The Reds were at times extremely impressive with their fluid attacking, especially with the addition of £37.5m January arrival Luis Diaz in their side.

Diaz was particularly a pain for the West Ham defence, and he created a chance for himself early on but his effort could only find defender Craig Dawson’s face.

Liverpool would eventually get a deserved lead, with Trent Alexander Arnold’s low, precise cross finding Sadio Mane, who tapped in from close range.

The goal was subject to a quick review from VAR but it stood, and Liverpool had the chance to run away with the game from there.

West Ham, for all their brilliance missed some glorious chances, but none was more significant than Fornals’ attempt.

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The Spaniard was played through by Jarod Bowen and with the Liverpool backline caught cold, he was one-one one with Alisson, but his lobbed effort was somehow cleared off the line by Arnold.

The Hammers were also dealt a blow after Jarrod Bowen had to come off after what looked like a nasty collision with Andy Robertson.

Lanzini also had a great chance to get the equaliser in the second half but he somehow blazed over from six yards after brilliantly controlling Thomas Soucek’s right-wing cross

Michail Antonio was also put through on goal late on, but a last-ditch tackle from Naby Keita prevented the Jamaican from getting a shot away.

In the end, Liverpool clawed a crucial 1-0 victory as they continue with their quest to catch up and perhaps overtake Manchester City.

Chelsea thrash Burnley

In the other game, Kai Havertz netted a brace as Chelsea opened the floodgates in the second half to see off relegation-threatened Burnley 4-0 at turf Moor.

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The Blues have now won five of the last six meetings against the Clarets as they continue their dominance against Sean Dyche's team

Christian Pulisic rounded up the game after the American got in on the act 21 minutes from time, rounding off what turned out to be a comfortable afternoon for Chelsea.