Manchester City 3 West Ham United 1: match report

28 September 2009 21:56
Manchester City sped to victory here, rising into the top four by drawing on the energy of Carlos Tévez, who scored twice and commendably refused to celebrate in front of his old West Ham United fans. With Emmanuel Adebayor up before the Football Association beaks on Thursday for provoking Arsenal fans, Tévez's show of respect was as well-timed as the runs for his goals. [LNB]As the Blue Moonies filed merrily out of Eastlands, savouring Tévez's double, a fine free-kick from the excellent Martin Petrov, the constant running of Craig Bellamy and a debut for Roque Santa Cruz, they should still have found time to consider how worryingly open they were at times. [LNB] Related ArticlesGianfranco Zola angry with West Ham playersPremier League photosPremier League tablePremier League fixturesTelegraph player raterSport on televisionBetter teams than West Ham will exploit the gaps more, seizing on the occasional uncertainty in the City defence. West Ham struck through Carlton Cole's neat flicked finish but Gianfranco Zola's men could have had more. City, though, always hinted at scoring more. [LNB]City had been quick out of the traps, Tévez and Bellamy flying at pace towards the West Ham defence. The system was familiar, 4-2-3-1, with Bellamy up top and Tévez buzzing around to great effect just behind him. They swapped positions, swapped passes and were twin terrors to West Ham's defence throughout. [LNB]Within five minutes, City were ahead, the speed of their movement catching the visitors cold. When Shay Given cleared the ball long down the field, Gareth Barry cleverly flicked it down the left to the excellent Petrov, whose usual reaction is to race towards the goal-line. In a blur of light-blue movement, the Bulgarian was behind Julien Faubert, cutting the ball back between the legs of James Tomkins for Tévez to slide City ahead. [LNB]Message to Adebayor: check out Tévez's celebration. Sensing he was close to the West Ham fans, Tévez showed huge respect to those who still hold him in high regard for keeping them up in 2007. [LNB]He held up a hand as if in apology for the pain he had just inflicted on them. He then clasped both hands together as if suggesting West Ham were still in his prayers. This was all slightly different from Adebayor's goading of his old Arsenal followers. Maybe the Football Association should charge Tévez with bringing the game into repute. [LNB]West Ham applauded the Argentinian's dignified response, although their appreciation of an old boy's character might have been tested. Tévez could, really should have made them suffer more. Before Cole's equaliser, City squandered three good chances, Tévez particularly culpable. City's No 32 hit a stanchion, then fired over. Petrov, brilliantly picked out by Tévez, briefly alarmed Robert Green. [LNB]In keeping with their manager's nature, a steely streak can be detected in City's play. Joleon Lescott caught Faubert with a challenge that home fans felt targeted the ball yet the City centre-half's right foot clearly connected with the West Ham full-back. [LNB]Nigel de Jong then clattered into Luis Jiménez, Pablo Zabaleta introduced himself with excessive vigour to Cole before De Jong sent Alessandro Diamanti flying. When Shaun Wright-Phillips then impeded Mark Noble, Diamanti bent in a left-footed free-kick. Lescott cleared the initial danger but his header fell to Radoslav Kovac, who low shot was neatly flicked over the line by Cole. [LNB]The theme of the season, exciting attacking football and defensive frailty, was continued here. Lescott's response was poor and then City failed to move out quickly enough, giving Cole his chance. Embarrassment was writ large across City's defence. Not for long. City were too good for West Ham. [LNB]Hughes can cope with pressure but he knows the expectations here. So many managers have come and gone, many of them watching last night. Peter Reid, Brian Horton, John Bond and Sven-Goran Eriksson were in the smart seats, Joe Royle was in the commentary box while Kevin Keegan was back in the ESPN studio. [LNB]Hughes sat back in the dug-out, believing in his players to re-find their stride and regain the lead. And they did. When Jimenez pushed De Jong 25 yards out, City punished them. West Ham's wall was weak, Scott Parker and Noble not standing firm as Petrov drilled the ball low past them. Green, who had been expecting a dink to the near-post, had too much ground to make up and could only watch the ball flash past him. [LNB]City finished the half strongly, Tévez going close and then triggering a magnificent, high-speed move. Tévez, switching play to the right, released Zabaleta, whose first-time cross was athletically met by Bellamy. Green had to scramble to his right to clutch Bellamy's header. The half concluded with Petrov unleashing a volley, again well-saved by Green. [LNB]Midway through the second period, City made it 3-1. Bellamy lifted over a free-kick towards Tévez. Exploiting shocking marking, the unmarked Tévez steered his free header across Green and in. Good header, shocking defending. [LNB]The game slipping away, Zola rang the changes, sending on Zavon Hines and Junior Stanislas but to no avail. West Ham briefly pressured City's back-line, making a point about the main enduring concern about Hughes' side as James Tomkins had a header blocked. [LNB]But there is so much talent in City ranks and Barry sent a dipping half-volley goalwards, bringing a fine tip-over save from Green. With 10 minutes remaining, a reflection of the rich resources Hughes can call on was shown when he sent on Santa Cruz. Michael Johnson also came on, highlighting that City can develop players as well as buy them. [LNB]Match details [LNB]Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Given; Zabaleta, Touré, Lescott, Bridge; De Jong, Barry (Johnson 89); Wright-Phillips (Santa Cruz 80), Tévez, Petrov; Bellamy. Subs: Taylor (g), Richards, Garrido, Sylvinho, Weiss. Booked: Bridge.West Ham United (4-1-4-1): Green; Faubert, Tomkins, Da Costa, Ilunga; Parker; Diamanti, Kovac (Stanislas 71), Noble, Jiménez (Hines 71); Cole. Subs: Kurucz (g), Spector, Nouble, Payne, N'Gala. Booked: Diamanti.Referee: C Foy (Merseyside). [LNB] 

Source: Telegraph