Ogbonna’s extra-time header hands Hammers FA Cup win over Liverpool

Young Spaniard Pedro Chirivella was handed his first ever senior start for this crucial FA Cup clash and he began brightly, though the presence of Cheikhou Kouyate and Pedro Obiang was proving to be too much for the Reds starlets.

With 15 minutes played, after Belgian frontman Christian Benteke came close for Liverpool, immediately at the other end, returning Hammers full back Joey O’Brien latched onto a neat pass from Dimitri Payet to rattle the post with a stinging shot, though proceedings stayed as they were.

Australian left back Brad Smith almost handed Jordon Ibe a great opportunity to open proceedings 10 minutes later, with the rapid wideman bursting into the Hammers box after nice work from Philippe Coutinho, but his delivery couldn’t be controlled.

The action was flowing from one end to the other at a very high tempo, and it was Smith that nearly crafted open West Ham again, with his latest storming run leading to a close-range effort for Joao Teixeira, but the former Portugal Under-21 scuffed his shot.

Randolph winning Benteke battle

Bilic’s hosts had to withstand another attacking onslaught as Benteke laid-off Coutinho for a promising chance, but Republic of Ireland stopper Darron Randolph was on hand to thwart any danger from the Brazilian.

The Hammers goal guard sprung to life again from the subsequent corner, diving low to deny Benteke once more, with the two players showcasing a glimpse of a what could potentially be a summer battle at Euro 2016 this summer.

Moments later it was Simon Mignolet’s turn for heroics in goal for the Reds, with the Belgian denying Payet from a curling free-kick, as half-time was closing in.

Despite Liverpool having dominating the majority of the first period, Antonio struck with only seconds remaining to put West Ham ahead, impressively volleying home from a deflected Kouyate cross to give the hosts a hard-fought lead at the break.

Coutinho’s class levels tie

With only two minutes played after the restart, Benteke won Klopp’s side a free-kick in a dangerous position on the edge of West Ham’s penalty area, and Coutinho capitalised on such a promising opportunity.

The Brazilian playmaker edged steadily towards the ball, fooling the Hammers wall into jumping, before clinically firing low under the defensive unit to finally beat an evidently livid Randolph and level proceedings.

Mignolet had come under severe criticism in recent weeks due to his mishaps in the Liverpool goal, and he almost endured another shocking moment after 56 minutes, as he stumbled out to mistime his punch, though inexperienced Tiago Llori and makeshift centre back Lucas Leiva came to his rescue.

Sturridge returns to the Reds fold

In a moment which would have pleased England manager Roy Hodgson, Liverpool thrust Daniel Sturridge back into the action for the first time since early December. The forward worryingly had to exit proceedings momentarily though, after an immediate knock, but he was able to return thankfully for the Reds.

After such an enthralling encounter so far, play was stalled for quite some time following a head injury to Kouyate, with the midfielder clashing heads with John Flanagan, as Andy Carroll was then swiftly introduced as a replacement against his former employers.

With extra-time looming large, Benteke almost added a second successful free-kick with only 10 minutes remaining, but Irishman Randolph was able to get his body behind the well-struck attempt.

Following many injury stoppages throughout the clash, eight minutes were added on at Upton Park, but both sides had ran themselves into the ground meaning extra-time was required.

Ogbonna wins it in extra-time

West Ham looked more likely of gaining the upper-hand in extra-time, with substitute Victor Moses becoming a threat and Frenchman Payet still finding space in encouraging areas, with skipper Mark Noble having a long-range shot denied by Mignolet too.

The battle between Benteke and Randolph was continuing, with the Reds striker first firing a volley wide and then having his one-on-one chance stopped by the in-form Irish guard, but it was West Ham that stole it at the death.

With only moments remaining in extra-time, Hammers defender Ogbonna jumped highest to connect with a lofted free-kick and header his side into the fifth round, inflicting Klopp’s Merseysiders with late FA Cup misery.

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