A FERNANDO TORRES double sunk a spirited West Ham side after a thrilling ding-dong battle at Upton Park.

The Hammers twice came from behind with goals from Alessandro Diamanti – making his full debut – and Carlton Cole, but a Torres header 15 minutes from time sealed the points for the Reds.

It wasn't all plain sailing however, as Liverpool were guilty of several defensive lapses during the game, and the first of those should have cost them a goal.

Jamie Carragher, who had a torrid afternoon, dwelled on the ball for too long, allowing West Ham's whippet Zavon Hines to pounce. The pacy forward, deployed on the left wing by Gianfranco Zola, robbed the defender of the ball and bore down on goal. Pepe Reina rushed out to meet him and did enough to put but the youngster off, the 20-year-old seeing his shot cannon off the post when really the Hammers should have been celebrating an early lead.

Liverpool were able to dictate possession after their early scare, with the hosts allowing them time and space to pick a pass. Time and time again the visitors found their way to the edge of the West Ham box with just two passes from back to front.

Their brief spell of pressure paid dividends just 17 minutes into the contest. Torres found himself in the kind of position he so thrives, one on one with defender James Tomkins. One step over, then another, and one more for good measure confounded the young centre-half, and from an acute angle the Spaniard rifled the ball past the helpless Robert Green.

Things went from bad to worse for the Irons, as first Matthew Upson was hauled off with a suspected hamstring injury – Danny Gabbidon coming on in his place – and then Valon Behrami was forced off with a knock. Radislav Kovac was his replacement.

With Liverpool rampant, it seemed the writing was on the wall. But Lady Luck turned the tables just five minutes later.

The excellent Hines was sent scampering down the left by the impressive Cole and his pace saw him get the wrong side of Carragher. The former England international barged the winger to the ground and referee Andre Marriner had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Diamanti, making his full debut for West Ham, confidently stepped up to take the kick, only to slip at the crucial moment. The ball skewed off his standing leg, but instead of threatening the fans' safety if row Z, the ball just missed the underside of the crossbar and West Ham were level.

The supporters' joy was shortlived, however, as the Reds retook the lead just four minutes before the break. Yossi Benayoun, returning to his former hunting ground, swung a corner in from the right and Steven Gerrard rose highest to nod the ball towards goal. Dirk Kuyt got the final touch, although questions will be asked as to why nobody was stationed at the back post, where a comfortable clearance would have been made.

This to-and-fro contest took another twist just before the break. And it was the home side who were to head into the interval on a high. Mark Noble's corner found the head of Cole, who glanced the ball into the far corner for two-all.

The high-octane action continued after the break, with Cole in particular looking lively. But Liverpool always looked dangerous going forward. Rafa Benitez introduced Ryan Babel, and the Dutchman made the telling difference.

Glen Johnson's shot was blocked on the edge of the area, but the ball found it's way to Babel on the right wing. With time and space the winger clipped a high ball into the box, and Torres rose brilliantly to thump a header past Green.

West Ham toiled, but a third comeback proved beyond them and it was Liverpool who head back up north with all three points.