Just as in Homer's odyssey, where Polyphemus, the evil man eating giant cyclops is outwitted and blinded by our here Odysseus, the Hammers slayed the the monocular tactics of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, as yesterday's final visit to Upton Park ended in tragedy for the Merseyside 'giants'.
After an epic encounter, the Eastenders prevailed by scoring two heroic headed goals whilst once again keeping a clean sheet. Michail Antonio was the main hero as Liverpool's defence struggled all afternoon with his pace and physicality. Once again, he could have had a hat trick and with his ever growing relationship with Andy Carroll, must now have cemented a place in the Hammers starting XI for the forseeable future.
The one disappointment of the day for the Hammers was the early departure of Manuel Lanzini with a groin strain. Just prior to that, the little Argentinian had rattled the post with a wickedly swerving shot from outside the box. However, the return of Dimitri Payet serves to soften the blow of losing Lanzini and the talismanic midfielder was marked by repeated demonstrations of his compelling trickery as he immediately set about teasing and tormenting a mesmerised Liverpool defence!
MOTM went to James Collins for another awesome display in defence. West Ham really do have an incredible surplus of talent in the centre back position and who would ever of thought that Winston Reid might struggle to get back into the side when he is fit again!
Ex Red Andy Carroll will undoubtedly have enjoyed netting the second goal as he proved simply too strong for the Liverpool backline. As in the second half against Southampton, Carroll demonstrated how he can be virtually unplayable when fit and on form. With Payet back and ready to fire in a healthy supply of tantalising crosses, things are looking up for Andy and the Hammers in general.
Next up, the FA Cup and two interesting away games at Bournemouth and Newcastle. From a tactical perspective, Slaven is equally comfortable playing home or away and, as such, the Hammers will be hoping to build on their four away wins this season.
This season was always going to be notable as the final spell playing at the legendary Boleyn ground, but with historic wins like yesterday's which hailed the first double over Liverpool since 1963, 2015/16 will go down as a memorable season for so many good reasons.
