West Ham 1 Man City 0: Bellamy Hammered on miserable return to Upton Park

01 March 2009 15:19
West Ham's[LNB]Jack Collison was the match-winner as Manchester City's[LNB]European success in midweek was quickly replaced by familiar struggles in the Barclays Premier League.  [LNB]City dumped FC Copenhagen out of the UEFA Cup on Thursday but again saw their domestic ambitions dented by a lacklustre display at the Boleyn Ground, where Collison's 71st-minute effort sealed the points.  [LNB]Robinho was sorely off-form for City, drifting in and out of the game and tapping wide from two yards, but they nearly stole a point when Elano's 90th-minute free-kick clipped the post.  [LNB] Craig Bellamy suffered a miserable return to Upton Park[LNB]Herita Ilunga almost created a breakthrough after eight minutes, cutting inside his man and curling a low ball into the penalty area.  [LNB]Carlton Cole was the target but he was just unable to make a connection and Given collected comfortably.  [LNB]Two minutes later, former Hammer Craig Bellamy, roundly booed by the home fans, found space for the first time and floated a cross towards the far post, forcing a corner.  [LNB]Scott Parker, meanwhile, earned a 10th-minute booking for a reckless challenge on Micah Richards. [LNB]Match winner: Jack Collison[LNB] The England man left the field minutes later in favour of striker Felipe Caicedo, forcing a reshuffle.  [LNB]After 14 minutes, Robinho almost had the ball in the net from the daintiest of touches.  [LNB]A mistake by Matthew Upson gifted Stephen Ireland possession and when his cross was cleared Vincent Kompany volleyed for goal.  [LNB] West Ham v Man City: How the action unfolded[LNB]EXCLUSIVE: West Ham shiver over Icelandic court hearing[LNB]Robinho out, Klinsmann in? Brazilian primed for City exit as Germany legend is tipped to replace Hughes[LNB]WEST HAM UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]MANCHESTER CITY FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB][LNB]His shot was weak but Robinho, given onside, flicked his boot at the ball and almost succeeded in steering it past the sprawling Robert Green.  The Brazilian then missed a sitter in the 22nd minute.  [LNB]The hard-working Bellamy was the architect, breaking free on the left byline before cutting the ball across goal for Ireland.  [LNB]The midfielder dragged it first time to the far post where it fell to Robinho, who missed the target from just two yards.  [LNB]West Ham had the chance to reverse the pressure with a free-kick in a dangerous position but Radoslav Kovac, on his full home debut, headed high and wide from David Di Michele's fine delivery.  [LNB]With half an hour gone, a swift break from Valon Behrami created a shooting chance for Cole but he dallied over his attempt and ended up blazing over.  [LNB]It was Behrami's last contribution before leaving the pitch on a stretcher having twisted his knee attempting a tackle.  [LNB]But the Hammers continued to press, with Given again called upon when DiMichele hit a firm shot from 10 yards following some superb approach play around the City area.  [LNB] Robinho (centre), who endured a frustrating afternoon, is stopped by Scott Parker (left) [LNB]Just 90 seconds after the restart Collison was inches away from capping a fine West Ham move with the opener.  [LNB]The Wales international started the attack with some good, aggressive running, before passing to Cole and continuing his run.  [LNB]Cole found Di Michele with a crisp first touch and the latter's cross curled invitingly towards Collison.  [LNB]The angle was tough and he just failed to connect with an attempted volley andthe danger was cleared.  [LNB] West Ham v Man City: How the action unfolded[LNB]EXCLUSIVE: West Ham shiver over Icelandic court hearing[LNB]Robinho out, Klinsmann in? Brazilian primed for City exit as Germany legend is tipped to replace Hughes[LNB]WEST HAM UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]MANCHESTER CITY FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB][LNB]City fed the ball to Robinho on the right but, despite some customary stepovers, the enigmatic forward remained short on inspiration.  [LNB]Indeed, the hosts were still playing the better football, with another pacy attack - this time set in motion by Ilunga's neat back-heel - ending with Parker's goalbound shot being charged down.  [LNB] Collison clebreates his winner with David DiMichele and Carlton Cole[LNB]Robinho's disappointing day took another downturn in the 63rd-minute when he took responsibility for an inviting free-kick and promptly drove his effort straight into the stands.  [LNB]The home side's failure to create something clear-cut must have frustrated the fans but, predictably, Bellamy's substitution with 25 minutes to play gave them something to cheer.  [LNB]With 71 minutes gone, they were in even finer voice as they celebrated Collison's perfectly executed finish.  [LNB] West Ham v Man City: How the action unfolded[LNB]EXCLUSIVE: West Ham shiver over Icelandic court hearing[LNB]Robinho out, Klinsmann in? Brazilian primed for City exit as Germany legend is tipped to replace Hughes[LNB]WEST HAM UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]MANCHESTER CITY FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB][LNB]Savio, on as Behrami's replacement, claimed the assist after his swerving effort forced Given to parry the ball back into the penalty box.  [LNB]But the finish was equally impressive as Collison lifted the rebound into the top corner with the side of his foot to beat the scrambling goalkeeper.  [LNB]Substitute Elano teed up Robinho with a clever back-heel as City tried to respond but once again his attempt flew wide.  [LNB] Combative Parker gets the better of Micah Richards (top)[LNB]Caicedo was not having it any better, twice missing the goal from good positions.  [LNB]For the Hammers, injuries were now the chief concern, with Cole moving gingerly after turning his ankle.  [LNB]A late free-kick almost made it 1-1 when Elano's flighted effort struck the post via Lucas Neill's head, but West Ham held on.[LNB] West Ham v Man City: How the action unfolded[LNB]EXCLUSIVE: West Ham shiver over Icelandic court hearing[LNB]Robinho out, Klinsmann in? Brazilian primed for City exit as Germany legend is tipped to replace Hughes[LNB]WEST HAM UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]MANCHESTER CITY FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB][LNB] [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail