Egypt's Salah scores, provides assist and breaks record as Liverpool win 4-1

Ahram Online , AFP , Saturday 24 Feb 2018

Salah
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah in action with West Ham United's Aaron Cresswell (Photo: Reuters)

Mohamed Salah equaled Harry Kane's 23 goals on top of the scoring charts and broke a Premier League record after scoring and providing an assist in Liverpool's 4-1 rout of West Ham United at Anfield on Saturday.

The red-hot Egyptian winger doubled Liverpool's lead six minutes past the hour mark with a trademark left-foot effort that nestled into the bottom corner after brilliant work from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

He created the opener in the 29th minute when his inviting corner was headed in by German midfielder Emre Can.

Emre Can, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane also got their names on the scoresheet for the hosts, while Michail Antonio netted a consolation for the Hammers.

Salah is now the Premier League's joint top scorer along with Tottenham Hotspur striker Kane. He also took his tally to 31 goals in all competitions.

The 25-year-old has also become the most prolific left-footer in the history of the Premier League, having netted his 20th goal to surpass former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler who scored 19 with hist left foot in the 1994-1995 season.

Salah edge closer to Ian Rush's club record of 47 in a single season which has stood since 1983-84.

Liverpool are a point clear of rivals Manchester United, who host Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp's side have now scored 103 goals in all competitions this season, and showed their intent early on when Firmino cut the ball back for Salah, who clipped a low effort at goal which rebounded back out off the post.

Marco Arnautovic carried the sporadic first-half attacking threat for the Hammers and attempted an audacious chip from the corner of the box only to see Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius get fingertips on the ball before it struck the underside of the crossbar.

Can got ball rolling 

Liverpool's persistence paid off just before the half-hour mark as they took the lead from a Salah corner.

His high in-swinging delivery was met by Can who outjumped and outmuscled French veteran Patrice Evra on his West Ham debut to head the ball into the net.

Arnautovic drew a fine diving save from Karius with a second spectacular effort from distance to nearly draw West Ham level against the run of play before the break.

However, Liverpool added their second six minutes after half-time as Salah benefitted from some determined play by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The Reds midfielder bundled his way through the Hammers defence and fortuitously passed it to Salah, who clinically found the far corner of the net.

Shortly afterwards Liverpool's grip on the game tightened further when Can won the ball immediately from Adriana's kick up field and lifted it over the top of the West Ham defence for Firmino to chase.

Adrian raced off his line to try to intercept, but Firmino was too quick and his touch took him past the visiting goalkeeper before he slotted into an empty net in front of the Kop.

That should have sealed it for Liverpool but within a minute of Michail Antonio's introduction, the substitute pulled a goal back to create a few nerves.

This time Can was caught in possession and Cheikhou Kouyate released Antonio who angled a fine finish low past the dive of Karius.

However, Liverpool reasserted their authority and some fine individual play by Oxlade-Chamberlain created an opening for Mane but he could only strike the post.

The Senegal forward made amends 13 minutes from time when he tapped in Andrew Robertsona's low cross from close range to round off the scoring.

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