West Ham vs Manchester City: Review

Another Saturday means another game for West Ham. However the opposition in the form of Manchester City was a whole lot different from West Ham’s previous two outings, against newly promoted Queens Park Rangers and Burnley. The current champions came to Upton Park on the back of a disappointing 2-2 draw away in Russia to CSKA Moscow and were desperately looking to put some pressure back onto early pace setters Chelsea. West Ham were boosted by the return of defensive midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate who started the game on the bench alongside Jaaskelainen, O’Brien, Poyet, Nolan, Vaz Te and long serving striker Carlton Cole. Manchester City’s line up could only be described as “awesome”; Navas, Toure, Silva, Džeko and Agüero all made up a very attacking line up for the Mancunians. Milner, Fernandinho and Jovetic were ready to be called upon off the bench if needed. West Ham in for a very real challenge.

Right from the off it looked as it Manchester City had a point to prove to make up for their below par showing in the Champions League in midweek with Sergio Agüero and David Silva giving West Ham shot-stopped Adrian work to do in the opening exchanges. Despite the early City pressure West Ham were not sitting back or “parking the bus” with Jenkinson and Cresswell giving the likes of Clichy and Zabaleta a few worries as they clipped in square balls for the Hammers. West Ham came close again just before the 20 minute mark with Ecuadorian international clattering into Joe Hart. Just a few months earlier Valencia himself netted against England in a World Cup warm up friendly in Miami. Two minutes later… GOAL. Amalfitano netted his second since joining on transfer deadline day from Marseille. West Ham United 1-0 Manchester City. Perhaps a famous upset on the cards? Brilliant pace from that man Enner Valencia helped break down the Citizens defends thanks to a sublime through ball from loanee Alex Song. 1-0; cue pandemonium in East London. Near enough equal chances led the two teams into the half time break in this lunchtime kick off. West Ham 1-0 to the good.

With I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles brightening up the afternoon sky play resumed. And within two minutes of the restart Alex Song picked up a yellow card for a blatant handball, when we say handball we mean he more of less caught the ball to stop the advances of the champions. After this incident Manchester City kept attacking, with the woodwork continually being rattled and Adrian’s net continually coming under threat. The Spaniard showing he was up to the attacking prowess that City held. West Ham surviving constant scares. Seventy five minutes… another West Ham goal? Yes? No? Yes! Goal line technology helping the Hammers as in form striker Diafra Sakho’s header was judged to have evaded Joe Hart’s best efforts, an it did. 2-0, Upton Park erupted and West Ham were in dreamland. Two minutes later and David Silva goal proved that the game definitely wasn’t over yet as he danced his way through the Hammers defence and slotted home infront of the travelling Manchester City fans. Nervy times to come for West Ham. Shot after shot rained down on Adrian’s goal, however not to be outdone West Ham raced forward and tried to find a third. The fourth official signalled five minutes. Not a good thing for West Ham, but Manchester City found it to be a great opportunity as they passed their way around West Ham’s box. To no avail. Whistles ringed out the mouths of the 33,000 West Ham faithful and it was met with the full time whistle.

A famous win for West Ham as they kept their brilliant start to the season up, still in the Champions League places as Manchester City tried to nurse their Champions League hangovers. 3 wins in a row, an unbeaten October. Great, great stuff for Sam Allardyce’s boys with Alex Song winning the man of the match award thanks to his brilliant performance. Stoke City away next for West Ham, four wins from four perhaps?