Steven Gerrard's two penalties were enough for Liverpool to come out on top of a controversial match against West Ham United this afternoon and regain top spot in the Premier League.

The visitors went close twice in the first 20 minutes through Luis Suarez, who first whistled a free kick just over the top before his cross-cum-shot looped over West Ham keeper Adrian and came back off the crossbar.

The hosts were seeing plenty of the ball and restricting Liverpool to speculative efforts, with Daniel Sturridge blazing two efforts high and wide.

The first half ended in dramatic fashion as Liverpool took the lead in the 44th minute before West Ham drew level in injury time.

First, Gerrard rolled home a penalty after James Tomkins had blatantly prevented Suarez cutting inside with his hand. Then, Guy Demel prodded home after Simon Mignolet had dropped Mark Noble's corner.

Liverpool's players were incensed that the goal had been given as Andy Carroll clearly struck Mignolet in the face with his arm when the Belgian attempted to claim the corner. Referee Anthony Taylor consulted with his assistant, who waved for a foul, but then overruled him and awarded the goal.

After a stodgy start to the second half, West Ham almost took the lead just after the hour mark when former Red Carroll got up well at the back post to meet Mohamed Diame's cross, but he could only rattle the crossbar with his header.

Liverpool then won their second penalty in the 69th minute as Taylor again appeared to make the wrong decision.

Jon Flanagan got into the area and went over under the challenge of Adrian, who looked to have made contact with the ball. Gerrard was again successful from 12 yards, with Adrian this time going the right way but unable to keep it out.

Suarez came close to getting on the scoresheet late on as his inventive chip clipped the crossbar before he was denied by Adrian from a one-on-one opportunity.

Three points see Liverpool restore their two-point lead at the summit, with West Ham still 11th.