Fernando Torres announced his Liverpool return in characteristic fashion this afternoon as his 13th goal in only 17 league appearances spared Rafael Benítez’s team from a damaging draw against Blackburn Rovers. Under pressure to respond to Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur victories in the race for fourth place, Liverpool were indebted to the Spain striker – and a 90th-minute save by José Reina from Christopher Samba – in a feisty contest at Anfield.

The roles had been reversed during the first half as Blackburn surprised with an adventurous opening and pegged Liverpool inside their own half only to be caught out on the counterattack by the home side. Morten Gamst Pedersen was prominent playing off the Rovers’ target man, Nikola Kalinic, and both he plus Samba tested Reina before the Croatian spurned a fine chance when released inside the Liverpool area by the Norwegian.

Just as the visitors appeared to have gained control, however, a break that announced Steven Gerrard’s improving form in emphatic fashion gave Liverpool the lead with their first attack. Gerrard made an exquisite exchange with Lucas Leiva to open central midfield, played a second one-two with Yossi Benayoun and benefited from a fortunate miscontrol inside the area to clip a nonchalant finish over the advancing Paul Robinson.

Blackburn almost levelled immediately as Pedersen collected Samba’s cross but was twice denied by Reina. Twenty minutes later they did equalise when Liverpool imploded inside their own box. First Benayoun sliced a poor clearance straight to Pedersen and then Jamie Carragher, having fallen to the floor attempting to deal with the returning pressure from the Norwegian and Kalinic, needlessly pushed the ball clear with his hand to concede an undisputed penalty. Keith Andrews drove the spot-kick hard and low under the Liverpool goalkeeper.

The outbreak of defensive folly proved contagious, and just five minutes later Liverpool were back in front when Blackburn switched off in the mistaken belief that the threat from Torres was over. It never is.

The Spaniard was foiled by Samba’s tackle inside the area after collecting an outstanding pass from Lucas yet, for reasons only known to himself, Robinson pursued a loose ball that was always destined for Maxi Rodriguez. The Argentinian simply squared the ball past the stranded Rovers goalkeeper and Torres, on his first start since 13 January, converted from close range.

Premier LeagueLiverpoolBlackburn RoversAndy Hunterguardian.co.uk

David Gold and David Sullivan will hope to witness more affirming occasions than their first home game as West Ham’s freshly ensconced joint-owners.

The pair had entered once the strains of Any Old Iron, Run Rabbit Run and various other cockney melodies had faded. Yet after a rousing reception for what was billed as “Home At Last” by the West Ham programme, the two Davids saw an encounter imbued with a reserve game’s quality and atmosphere until the closing 20 minutes.

West Ham may have about edged possession during the opening period, but the “highlights” boiled down to the odd corner plus too few chances from the teams, who had lined up 4-5-1, and with a seemingly identical intent to cause stupor in the stands.

On 33 minutes Alessandro Diamanti’s free-kick from the right at least worried Paul Robinson, requiring England’s ex-No1 to punch to safety.

Blackburn’s best effort appeared to have also derived from a free-kick on the angle. Morten Gamst Pedersen swung this one in from the left on a low parabola. The ball was allowed to bisect the box, before it was shinned away.

Thankfully, some genuine premium fare did arrive, two minutes before the oranges and teas. This time Pederson lined the free-kick up 25 yards from Robert Green’s goal, and the Norwegian’s sweet left-footed shot rasped the ball beyond the keeper, only for it dip against the bar.

The game stirred after Carlton Cole made a second entrance since recovering from the knee injury that had kept him out since November. He was quickly followed by Jason Roberts, whose opening contribution was to remove James Tomkins with a playground body swerve before the striker unloaded straight into Green’s midrift.

Earlier Gaël Givet would have scored had Cole not cleared off the line. His expertise, though, had been required in front of the opposing goal.

Robinson also tipped over from Diamant but David G and David S retired to their executive lounge knowing West Ham have to start winning soon.

Premier LeagueWest Ham UnitedBlackburn RoversJamie Jacksonguardian.co.uk