Premier League
Manchester City 2-1 West Ham United 

Sunday, 3rd December 2017
by David Fletcher

Another late winner sealed the deal for the league leaders and as a consequence extended West Ham's run without a win in the league to eight games despite taking the lead.

Despite seeing next to nothing of the ball in the first ten minutes, West Ham were the ones to grasp the first chance of the match from a corner. A decent delivery from Aaron Cresswell, helped on its way by Cheikhou Kouyate, found Michail Antonio at the far post who was only capable of poking it over.

Though it was a sign of things to come, Manchester City kept pushing forward against a timid West Ham defence, reluctunt to mark tightly knowing the excellent close control of their skillful opponents.

Barring a long-range shot by David Silva deflected off Declan Rice and well met by 'keeper Adrian, the home side lacked purpose going forward allowing the Hammers to find their feet in the game.

And the game would turn on its head just before half-time when West Ham took advantage of City's vulnerability from set-pieces again.

Cresswell, under pressure, took the corner short to Manuel Lanzini who returned it immediately back to the England international who crossed it first time. The delivery was met convincingly by Angelo Ogbonna who powered it home to put West Ham in front.

Man City coped with the rising sense of frustration from their supporters to net less than 15 minutes after the restart. It all started with a free kick conceded on the edge of the penalty area, given away by Declan Rice, who had a very valid point when claiming he had never touched Fabian Delph in the build-up.

Justice seemed to have been served as far as West Ham were concerned when Adrian saved Kevin De Bruyne's effort. However, with the danger not being cleared, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus linked up well, the young Brazilian then drilled a low cross into the danger zone as Nicolas Otamendi flew in ahead of the defenders to smash it in and put his team level.

It would be a relentless uphill slog from then on in as the away side battled hard to try and grind out a draw. Yet out of nowhere, De Bruyne picked out a perfectly weighted lobbed pass into the path of David Silva who acrobatically put Man City ahead.

West Ham did respond with a decent chance of their own as Marko Arnautovic charged forward, beating Eliaquim Mangala convincingly in the process, only for his pull-back to be put wide by Diafra Sakho's poor effort.

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Player Ratings

Adrian San Miguel Del Castillo
Comments to follow.


Pablo Zabaleta
Comments to follow.


Angelo Ogbonna
Comments to follow.


Declan Rice
Comments to follow.


Aaron Cresswell
Comments to follow.


Edimilson Fernandes
Comments to follow.


Pedro Obiang
Comments to follow.


Arthur Masuaku
Comments to follow.


Manuel Lanzini
West Ham's focal point going forward converting defence into attack in a flick of a switch with his agility and intelligence.


Cheikhou Kouyate
Comments to follow.


Michail Antonio
A big threat for Man City in defence causing problems on the counter attack with his speed. Wasn't as productive when moved into a midfield role after the withdrawal of Kouyate.



Substitutes

Marko Arnautovic
(Replaced Lanzini) Comments to follow.


Diafra Sakho
(Replaced Kouyate) Comments to follow.


Andre Ayew
(Replaced Antonio) No comments.


Nathan Trott
Did not play.


Ben Johnson
Did not play.


Domingos Quina
Did not play.


Anotnio Martinez
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Adrian San Miguel Del Castillo, Pablo Zabaleta, Angelo Ogbonna, Declan Rice, Aaron Cresswell, Edimilson Fernandes, Pedro Obiang, Arthur Masuaku, Manuel Lanzini, Cheikhou Kouyate, Michail Antonio.

Goals: Angelo Ogbonna 44                  .

Booked: Declan Rice 17 Adrian San Miguel Del Castillo 94        .

Sent off: None.

Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Mangala, Otamendi, Danilo (Jesus 46), Delph, D. Silva (c), de Bruyne, Sterling, Sane (B. Silva 90+2), Aguero (Fernandinho 85).

Subs not used: Bravo, Kompany, Gundogan, B. Silva, Fernandinho, Toure.

Goals: Otamendi (57), D. Silva (83).

Booked: De Bruyne (59), Jesus (95).

Sent off: None.

Referee: Mike Dean.

Attendance: 0.

Man of the Match: Adrian San Miguel Del Castillo.