It's still early days of course, but Pardew will no doubt be concerned by his team's inability to seriously threaten the Man City goal.

As for the Hammers, they are below today's hosts in the table now.

Samaras was the star today, finally getting off the mark for the season in the league - that's three in two for him now after the cup consolation on Wednesday.

That win eases the pressure on Pearce dramatically, as seven points at this stage doesn't look too bad at all.

It's all over in Manchester, where the home team hung on against impotent visitors West Ham.

There's three minutes of stoppage time, but West Ham look like they need 300 to get a goal here.

Hero Samaras leaves the field to warm applause, with Stephen Ireland introduced to fill his boots!

Joey Barton's free-kick is saved by Carroll, but it's too little too late as his team can't get anything at the other end.

Another City change, as Miller is replaced by the experienced Claudio Reyna.

And Tevez has barely had a touch - though one with his hand springs to mind! They need to dig deep to get something from this encounter now.

Still West Ham fail to create any clear chances, as Cole's cross is comfortably cleared by Hamann.

City make a change of their own, as Italian Corradi makes way and Paul Dickov gets some of the action.

And add to that another change up front, where Tevez has been brought on in place of Harewood.

Alan Pardew acts with a double change. First Zamora makes way for Carlton Cole.

City 2-0 West Ham, and it's GEORGIOS SAMARAS again, this time slipping through to chip over helpless Roy Carroll.

And Miller's shot close to the hour-mark sails over the bar. He's looked lively, if not the finished product.

It's still City carving out the half-chances, as Didi Hamann sees a shot saved.

Another Etherington cross comes to nothing, this time from a corner. West Ham need better than that now.

So West Ham have to go for this now. You have to wonder how long it will be until Carlos Tevez is introduced?

They were strong out of the blocks, scoring after just four minutes, and the Greek earned that one after his fine first half. That's his first league goal of the season after a few in pre-season friendlies.

It's 1-0 to Man City, as GEORGIOS SAMARAS finally makes the breakthrough with a fine left-foot volley.

So half-time in Manchester, where Marlon Harewood and Bernado Corradi missed the best chances in a fairly even contest.

Another great chance in stoppage time, as Richards burst past Konchesky and slipped in Corradi but the forward mishit his shot at Carroll. Still 0-0.

Then, from the subsequent corner, Miller misses with a free header that he really should have stuck away.

First Gabbidon does really well to slip the ball from another Samaras run, then Carroll misreads a cross and clumsily clears up his error.

City are piling on the pressure in the closing stages of the half.

Sylvain Distin has to go flat out to keep up with Harewood there, but the Frenchman wins that contest and scoops the ball out

The crowd are getting especially vocal, as Miller tries to break through but is stopped in his tracks by a couple of Hammers defenders

Corradi clatters into Mascherano with studs showing, but it seemed clumsy rather than malicious. The midfielder is back on his feet.

Richard Dunne makes a couple of good blocks and Nicky Weaver makes a routine save as the Hammers have a good spell of possession

Some good football has been witnessed by the crowd, even if no goals as yet!

Zamora wins a corner which comes to nothing - the former Brighton striker's been quite so far though

Still no goals at Eastlands, where City seek that elusive goal they probably do just about deserve

A forced change for the Hammers, as hamstrung Ferdinand makes way for Hayden Mullins

Samaras was a hair's width wide there, the Greek allowed through by some sloppy Ferdinand marking - the West Ham man hurt his hamstring too

The Hammers may be lagging in chances, but that was definitely the game's best so far. Mascherano and Samaras are both looking sharp and strong.

The best chance yet, but recalled Marlon Harewood can only stab it wide after a positive West Ham move against the run of play

A really good header from Mascherano there as the South American robs it from Samaras

Danny Gabbidon clear under pressure from Joey Barton - Man City's top scorer with two!

Trevor Sinclair (once of West Ham) is increasingly getting involved as City seem to see the flanks as a potential breakthrough

Samaras nutmegs the Argentinian there, but Anton Ferdinand clears up. Then Ishmael Miller fails to test the keeper Roy Carroll when through

A poor free-kick from Didi Hamann follows after Mascherano clatters Bernardo Corradi

Mascherano has a crack but it goes well wide. This is still only his third start.

City seem intent on getting an early goal - they're pushing. Home confidence is still strong it seems.

City bounce back with their best chance so far, but Micah Richards shoots wide with his wrong foot - a defender's effort!

That's a poor cross from Matthew Ellington, with West Ham's first real chance to open up the City rearguard

It's a good - if scrappy - start at Eastlands, where Samaras is looking lively and City are putting on some early pressure

Javier Mascherano manages to clear an early half chance involving Georgios Samaras

The action begins at the City of Manchester Stadium, with a potentially nervy Pearce under increasing pressure

The Tevez ommision was expected, as Bobby Zamora has outshone the new recruit so far this season with his five goals

Pearce opts to stick with his front-line, which was unexpected, as the rumour was that Paul Dickov would start today

Both teams looking to bounce back from defeats then: City lost 2-1 to Chesterfield in midweek and the Hammers were beaten 2-0 by Newcastle last Sunday

Despite their recent slump, City remain unbeaten at home in the league this season, while West Ham haven't yet won on the road!

Carlos Tevez is the highest profile player making way (he's on the bench), though also absent are Lee Bowyer and Tyrone Mears for this one

For West Ham meanwhile, Alan Pardew has freshened things up with three new faces: Christian Dailly, Yossi Benayoun and Marlon Harewood all start

City make just the one change for this clash then, with Claudio Reyna making way for Ishmael Miller

The Hammers, who have just two points from a possible 12, could rise to 7th if they get all the points here

City could go bottom today, though they could also shoot up to 9th if all goes well

Can Stuart Pearce turn the tide with a win today? The recent record is 12 losses in the last 15 Premiership games!