Liverpool scored four second-half goals to beat West Ham United 5–1 at Anfield on 23 May 1989. Three days after winning the FA Cup, they moved three points clear of Arsenal, who now had to win by at least two goals in the clubs’ final league match to take the championship.
West Ham needed victory to stay up and made Liverpool work for the result. Paul Ince headed narrowly wide after a poor clearance by Bruce Grobbelaar. John Barnes then beat George Parris and crossed for John Aldridge to give Liverpool the lead around the twentieth minute.
The visitors answered with a passing move that ended in Mark Ward crossing for Leroy Rosenior to head in. At half-time the score was 1–1, leaving both the title and relegation issues unresolved.
Ray Houghton put Liverpool back in front in the sixty-third minute and scored again with ten minutes remaining. Ian Rush and Barnes added late goals, turning a close contest into a four-goal victory. West Ham finished nineteenth and were relegated.
Liverpool had 76 points and a goal difference of plus 39; Arsenal had 73 points and plus 35. With both sides down to one game, a single-goal defeat would still leave Liverpool champions. A two-goal Arsenal win would level both points and goal difference and give the London club the title on goals scored.