West Ham strike late to knock Liverpool out of the FA Cup

West Ham United 2 Liverpool 1 [aet].

A dramatic goal in the last minute of extra time from defender Angelo Ogbonna sent West Ham into the last 16 of the FA Cup. Their reward for the victory, described by manager Slaven Bilic as "one of the greatest nights" in the Hammers' history, is a trip to Championship side Blackburn on 21 February and the prospect of more cup football at the Boleyn Ground.

"Ogbonna's goal is a great header, but it was not just about the goal," said Bilic. "He was magnificent. Everyone was great in our team."

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He added: "It went to the 120th minute and we scored a great header in the last second of the game. Plus we had injuries and we overcame all of that. That's why it was such a great night."

In an open and entertaining encounter West Ham had taken the lead on the stroke of half-time with a crisp volley from Michail Antonio, but their advantage lasted only three minutes into the second half.

Phillippe Coutinho levelled for Liverpool after the break with a impertinent free-kick he deliberately slid below the leaping wall and the Reds, boosted by the first appearance of England striker Daniel Sturridge since December, should have gone on to win the game.

West Ham saw two defenders - Winston Reid and Joey O'Brien - leave the field with injury, but Christian Benteke failed to exploit the disruption to the hosts' defence, wasting several good chances to put Liverpool ahead.

"We created chances, but we didn't score goals," said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, back in the dugout having missed the 2-2 draw with Sunderland at the weekend because of appendix surgery. "We are Liverpool and at this moment it is not the most sunny side... but tomorrow the sun will shine and we can take a lot of positives out of this game."

Klopp was certainly not in a sunny mood, complaining to reporters that the free-kick that led to the winning goal should not have been awarded. "They got a free-kick without a foul and we conceded a goal," he said. "I'm not long enough here to judge these things. If you are satisfied with the performance of the referee, write it. If not, say it.

"There were a lot of situations that, on a better day, I would say are funny decisions. I would have made a few different decisions, on both sides. The only reason we were here was to go to the next round, so we are disappointed."

It was Ogbonna's first goal for West Ham since arriving from Juventus last year and Bilic said the last-gasp manner of the win had made it all the more special. "I'm a down-to-earth guy but tonight was a big, big match and I was a bit emotional at the end of the game, I'll admit it."

It was the first time West Ham have beaten Liverpool in the FA Cup. Asked if he believed the club could go on and win the competition for the first time since 1980, Bilic replied: "If we produce a performance like this then we are capable of beating any team in England."

And there is another positive for the fans even if they don't make it to Wembley - the prospect of another home cup tie in West Ham's final season at their famous east London ground, provided they avoid defeat to Blackburn.