A Mark Noble penalty and Steven Gerrard own goal have ruled out Glen Johnson's opener as West Ham took a 2-1 lead into half time of their match with Liverpool this afternoon.

The hosts came close to breaking the deadlock after just seven minutes when Liverpool could only clear Matt Jarvis's cross as far as Mohamed Diame, whose shot deflected off Carlton Cole and just wide.

It was the visitors who took the lead, however, when Gerrard's searching ball found Johnson, who weaved in and out before finding the back of the net with a fine strike from 25 yards.

West Ham were awarded a penalty 10 minutes before the break as Guy Demel's long range strike hit the arm of Joe Allen. Up stepped Noble, who made no mistake with the spot kick despite Jose Reina guessing the right way.

The Hammers then completed their mini-comeback two minutes before half time when Steven Gerrard inadvertently nodded Jarvis's cross into his own net.