The young Hammers earned three points as they defeated Liverpool’s u23’s in their first meeting this season. This was a dominant display in which the Hammers kept a clean sheet against an underwhelming Liverpool side.
It was a fairy-tale story for young midfielder Sonny Perkins as he looks to impress first team manager David Moyes. With the Hammers in brilliant form and confidence sky high at the moment do Perkins unbelievable performances warrant a first team opportunity in the near future?
Standout Performance
That remains to be seen, but it was a perfect game for the youngster, scoring a brace in the first half giving West Ham the lead. This win keeps the Hammers in second place, only one point behind league leaders Arsenal who the Hammers thumped 6-1 earlier in the season.
West Ham started strong with Perkins through on goal after the ball was kicked clear from the Liverpool defence. Unfortunately, this chance was squandered after Liverpool left back Owen Beck was quick to put pressure on Perkins, this led him to rush his shot, which went into the side netting.
Less than five minutes later the Hammers were 1-0 up after a long throw in from skipper Aji Alese into a crowded 18-yard box. This saw the ball pinball from player to player into the path of a goal-hungry Perkins who slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Two goals in quick succession
Just three minutes later the Hammers doubled their lead when star man Armstrong Okoflex led a quick counterattack after Krisztian Hegyi used brilliant agility to pull a picture-perfect save and punch the ball into his path. Okoflex was quick to recover as he raced down the line, he then played a lovely curved through ball into Thierry Nevers. This was followed by a fortunate shot from distance which ricocheted off defender Billy Koumetio, sending the ball in a different direction and wrong-footing the keeper as the ball rolled into the bottom right corner.
Nine minutes into the second half the Hammers were 3-0 up after Perkins doubled his tally in exquisite fashion. Winger Kemarai Swyer was subbed on to help get past Liverpool’s press, using his agility to dribble past their defenders. Following an impressive mazing run he slotted the ball into the path of Perkins who finished off the move with a powerful low driven shot into the bottom left corner.
“It’s a really good feeling to get goals”
His two goals against Liverpool take Sonny Perkins to four goals in seven Premier League 2 appearances this season. Following the game, speaking to West Ham’s website, he said: “I always want to be in and around the goals and trying to be helping the team score, whether that be creating chances or finishing them off. Obviously it’s a really good feeling to get goals and that’s what I’ll always try and do.
“Whether I’m playing in midfield or up front, that’s always part of my game that I focus on – so it’s a nice feeling.”
