Manchester City vs. West Ham: Score and Reaction from 2016 Premier League Match
Manchester City went top of the Premier League by virtue of goal difference after surviving to beat West Ham United 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho both scored for the Citizens during an irresistible first-half display. However, the Hammers battled back in the second half after a keen tactical switch.
Michail Antonio headed in just before the hour mark to ensure a tight finish, before Sterling added his second deep into stoppage time.
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If there was a bigger blot on City's copybook, it came when star striker Sergio Aguero appeared to catch West Ham centre-back Winston Reid with an elbow during the second half.
Aguero could miss the derby with Manchester United after the international break if the Football Association deems his actions were deliberate, per Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror.
City once again left Joe Hart out of goal, while the visitors handed a first start to summer import Ashley Fletcher to help cover injuries up front.
BBC Sport confirmed both lineups:
City appeared in a bullish mood from the off, passing the ball with pace and imagination. The touch and technique of manager Pep Guardiola's players were exceptional.
In particular, roving playmakers David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne were combining wonderfully. It was the former who slipped an exquisite ball into the inside-left channel that new signing Nolito played into the path of Sterling.
The former Liverpool man finished with aplomb to end his scoring drought, as Sky Sports Statto showed:
Sterling's goal continued his swift revival on Guardiola's watch. The jet-heeled winger has always boasted the pace and intelligent off-the-ball running to terrorise any defence. Only finishing lets the 21-year-old down. More goals like this will make the England international a consistent match-winner.
Extra goals are likely for every member of the forward line in a City team this slick and fluid. The hosts were owning the ball, a fact illustrated by this graphic from BBC Match of the Day:
City's commitment to bossing possession is a product of Guardiola's strict adherence to passing football. After one particular passage of play, James Robson of the Manchester Evening News noted just how seriously the new manager takes his philosophy:
Guardiola needn't have worried, though, because City were soon two up. After all the neat passing, it was a set piece that breached the Hammers defence again when De Bruyne guided a pinpoint free-kick onto the head of Fernandinho.
De Bruyne was proving his growing creative impact, per WhoScored.com:
It almost defied belief when City were unable to add to their lead during the rest of the near 25 minutes of the half. Even so, the suave passing combinations remained a joy to watch.
If City needed a warning against complacency, they got it less than 15 minutes after the restart when Antonio converted from close range to halve the deficit:
City had been disturbed when centre-back John Stones suffered an eye problem. Aleksandar Kolarov soon replaced him.
The Hammers were buoyant after manager Slaven Bilic switched from three at the back to a classic 4-4-2 formation. It freed Antonio from defensive chores and let him focus on raiding the flanks.
The introduction of Sam Byram was key to the new shape, and the full-back proved crucial when he cleared an effort from City substitute Samir Nasri from in front of goal as the match entered the final 10 minutes.
Perhaps mindful of the danger of being caught on the break, Guardiola introduced midfield destroyer Fernando for main striker Aguero.
Yet, City still had the firepower to try to add a third, and Sterling should have got it when he brushed the side netting after being played in by Silva. The Spaniard then put Nasri through, but the former Arsenal man blazed over.
Those roles were reversed when Nasri teed up Silva, only for the pocket-edition playmaker to smash a terrific shot off the inside of the post. He was relieved when Sterling rolled in the third from a tight angle seconds later.
Afterward, Guardiola praised two-goal hero Sterling, per the club:
He also offered a positive update on the future of Nasri:
In addition, there was good news on Stones' fitness status:
Meanwhile, Bilic chided West Ham's mental approach, but still offered praise to the victors, per Squawka News:
City may have been flat and disjointed in the second half, but they still had enough to produce a host of chances and score a third. Their free-scoring style will never be dull, and it is already giving them the edge in the title race.
