Marbella reward

Manchester United’s midfielder Jesse Lingard scores United’s second goal during their English Premier League match against Chelsea at Old Trafford yesterday. Manchester United beat Chelsea 2-1. – the underside of the crossbar.

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.

Liverpool added their second six minutes after halftime 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 Adrian'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.

However, Liverpool reasserted their authority and Mane completed a perfect afternoon when he tapped in Andrew Robertson's low cross 13 minutes from time.

David Moyes admitted his West Ham United team had simply been beaten by the better side yesterday.

“It was a tough day, but we played a good team in form, but we’ve done quite well against the top teams since I’ve been at the Club and I thought for periods today we also did quite well,” said the manager.

“Especially in the first half, we created some chances and I thought we played with bits of composure, albeit Liverpool were creating opportunities and with the players they have got at their disposal, they’re always going to do that.

“Our goal gave us a chance of getting back in the game. We always thought we had a chance of scoring, but the thing was to keep their front players quiet.

“We did a good job of that at times, but most of our goals we conceded were self-inflicted, which hasn’t been the case for us this season, or certainly in the last six weeks, when we’ve been really organised and not made individual mistakes.

“We gave the ball away, got caught on the ball and when you do that, Liverpool will punish you.” – AFP/Agencies