Manchester City 2-1 West Ham United
Manchester City were able to claim more points in the dying moments of a game as they eventually saw off a spirited and much improved West Ham United.
David Moyes’ side put in a first half performance which saw them head into the dressing rooms with a lead which few would have begrudged them, but in the second period they faced a barrage of attacks from City’s attacking talents which they couldn’t keep out, despite their best efforts.
It had been a frustrating first 45-minutes of football for the home side, rounded off in the worst way possible when they conceded just minutes before the half-time whistle sounded. It had been a half of attack versus defence which would set the tone for the rest of the game as Pep Guardiola's men camped out in the opposition half, but ultimately struggled to break down their defensive block.
The 73 per cent possession City enjoyed in that first period was not used to good effect, and by the end of the half they found themselves having had fewer shots on target than West Ham. Despite their defensive set-up the visitors took their chances on the break, with Michael Antonio coming close to getting on the end of an Aaron Cresswell cross which should have served as a warning to the home side.
Moyes selected a lineup which would dominate physically, and this helped them open the scoring. Cresswell played a one-two with Manuel Lanzini from a corner kick before swinging in a cross which was met emphatically by Angelo Ogbonna. The Italian centre back rose above Nicolas Otamendi, giving City goalkeeper Ederson no chance of saving it.
The closest City had come was a David Silva shot from distance, but Hammers goalkeeper Adrian was able to paw it over the bar. Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling, and Kyle Walker also saw their strikes drift harmlessly into the stands as they were limited to shooting from distance.
Guardiola didn’t feel like waiting to see if the eleven he picked to start the game could turn things around, and he replaced left back Danilo with attacker Gabriel Jesus at half time. The change meant Fabian Delph, who operated in midfield in the first half, was moved out to left back. It immediately caused West Ham problems as the Englishman danced inside towards the area before being felled by Declan Rice. Kevin De Bruyne fired the free kick at the top corner, but it was well saved by Adrian.
This roused the home fans from their slumber, and they finally had something to cheer when Jesus crossed to Otamendi for the equaliser. The Brazilian substitute had made an instant impact, and with the game more open his side now looked destined to take the lead.
There was more zip about their play, and much more urgency in their attack. This was combined with a greater element of control, thanks in part to having withdrawn the wasteful Danilo and place the impressive Delph in the left-back position. It was as if, at half-time, Guardiola had given his players similar treatment to that which he dished out to Southampton’s Nathan Redmond at the end of their last game.
The half time switch almost produced the perfect result when Delph and Jesus linked up, but the latter saw his shot saved by Adrian. The West Ham keeper began to see shots rain down on his goal, and though many were still from distance, they were now much more threatening.
Gone were the West Ham counter-attacks seen in the first half, and City were well and truly camped around the opposition area. Their defensive line was a good 15-yards into the opposition half, and even goalkeeper Ederson made it as far as the outer edges of the centre circle.
Antonio did manage to keep Ederson on his toes with a rasping opportunist effort, but normal service resumed as City piled forward looking for the winner.
“We’re Man City, we fight ‘till the end,” sang the City fans, in reference to the number of late winners — usually scored by Raheem Sterling — they’d experienced this season, but this time their saviour came in a different guise, and at a less nerve-wracking time of the game. De Bruyne lifted an excellent cross into the area, and Silva was able to extend his left leg sufficiently to find the far corner.
This type of late body blow is becoming a familiar feeling for City’s opposition this season as Guardiola’s side extend their winning run to 13 games which is a Premier League record they now jointly hold with Arsenal. If they win the Manchester derby next week they will make this record their own, and you wouldn’t bet against them doing it in Fergie Time.
