Jesus Navas, Eliaquim Mangala Defy Critics as Manchester City Beat West Ham

Given the run Manchester City have been on in recent weeks—six defeats in their last eight games prior to Sunday—any kind of win over West Ham United was badly needed.

They got it with a 2-0 victory which moves them back to within a point of Manchester United in third place and keeps Liverpool, who desperately want the final UEFA Champions League position currently occupied by the Blues, at arm’s length.

In truth, City could not have asked for a more comfortable 90 minutes. West Ham looked in post-season mode, rarely—if ever—getting out of third gear.

In the second period, they rarely got out of their own half of the field.

Jon Super/Associated Press

It was a good day, too, for a couple of City’s most maligned players. Eliaquim Mangala—who has struggled to settle in since his summer move from Porto—and Jesus Navas—often criticised for a perceived lack of quality with his final ball—both produced excellent displays.

For Mangala, the injury to Vincent Kompany—which could keep the Belgian sidelined until the end of the season—presents him with a perfect opportunity to establish himself between now and the summer.

On the evidence of this match, it’s an opportunity he fully intends to seize.

The centre-back showcased his wonderful pace and strength, and produced a series of blocks and tackles that repelled West Ham’s rare forays forward. He looked comfortable and confident, which he rarely has since his introduction to the side earlier in the season.

Navas, awarded the official Man of the Match award inside the stadium, produced two assists and a display full of pace and urgency. So often, the midfielder was the catalyst for City’s best attacking moments, and he thoroughly deserves the praise he’ll get in the aftermath of this performance.

These were his eighth and ninth Premier League assists of the season, with only Angel Di Maria and Cesc Fabregas registering more.

Jon Super/Associated Press

His first was a wicked ball towards Sergio Aguero which was cut out by James Collins, only for the ball to loop over Adrian, hit the underside of the bar and nestle in the back of the net. Not since the days of Richard Dunne have City fans been treated to such a comical own goal.

Navas' second helper came after a sweeping counter-attack. Yaya Toure slid in and won the ball on the halfway line, Aguero set off at pace, fed Navas on the right and rather than taking the shot on himself, the Spanish winger unselfishly gave it back to the Argentine, who finished neatly for his 101st City goal.

City may have been allowed to play, but they did so with a freedom rarely seen during their recent run.

They fashioned a chance in the second half involving a wonderful reverse pass from Toure and an intelligent dummy from Frank Lampard, but Aguero will be disappointed not to have finished from close range.

The one sour note for City was a bad injury to midfielder David Silva, who was taken out by a flailing elbow from Cheikhou Kouyate. How malicious it was is down to interpretation, but it was—at best—reckless, leaving Silva stretchered off wearing a neck brace and looking in serious discomfort:

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David Silva injury scare: #MCFC star stretchered off wearing neck brace during West Ham match http://t.co/SVhVTsV5Aa pic.twitter.com/yv4MwKZzrj

— Manchester City News (@ManCityMEN) April 19, 2015"

Afterwards, Pellegrini was unsure of the extent of Silva's injury, adding that he felt this was an important win.

"It looked serious, but we must wait [on] what happens at the hospital to check his cheekbone," he said. "I always think that a player doesn’t want to damage another player. The referee was so near and he decided it was unintentional. Nothing more happens.

"I think it was very important for our team to win. We come from two defeats in a row and always when it is a derby it is worse.

"It was important to be a consistent team and we played especially until the injury of David that makes distractions, we are a consistent team. In other games, we play minutes. Today, I think we played the whole game."

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UPDATED: #MCFC's David Silva suffered possible broken cheekbone and collarbone in clash during West Ham match http://t.co/9G9hfHuEzC

— Manchester City News (@ManCityMEN) April 19, 2015"

Given United and Arsenal's more problematic remaining fixtures, City still have a strong chance of finishing inside the automatic Champions League places. They play Aston Villa at home next Saturday and have the chance to leapfrog United, who travel to Everton that Sunday—temporarily at least.

With Arsenal playing Chelsea, next weekend could see City apply some pressure on those around them.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard.