West Ham vs Manchester City match report: Sergio Aguero twice saves stuttering City
West Ham United 2 Manchester City 2
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.West Ham are still making life awkward for the leading sides, and Manchester City still can’t win successive games.
It is now over three months since City claimed back-to-back victories in the League, but they showed resilience by twice coming from behind. Sergio Aguero scored an 80th-minute equaliser to make it 2-2 between the teams, and 2-2 between the Argentinian and West Ham’s Enner Valencia in terms of goals.
West Ham United were 1-0 up within a minute of kick-off as Cheikhou Kouyaté rampaged down the left flank before squaring inside for Enner Valencia, who lashed the ball past Joe Hart.
West Ham went at City with a speed which suggested that their manager, Slaven Bilic, wanted to expose the slow central defence of Nicolas Otamendi and Martin Demichelis. The flipside was that this also left the home side open.
Moments after Valencia (pictured) scored, Aguero hit a post. The Argentinian confounded Carl Jenkinson with two keepie-uppie touches from a lofted Yaya Touré pass before lobbing Adrian.
After eight minutes Aguero went one better, as Jenkinson was again exposed. The right-back was adjudged to have tripped Aguero in the area, and from the resulting penalty the No 10 rolled in the equaliser. Four minutes later Jenkinson was forced off with an injury, Sam Byram coming on to make his debut.
The game continued at a belting pace. Despite that speed, it was still regularly decorated by moments of poise and skill. Aguero, David Silva and Dimitri Payet were all on song, and all had showed their excellence.
On 17 minutes, Alex Song tried to tactically foul Aguero, only to be turned inside out and left on the ground with the bare minimum of touches from the striker. Payet then forced Hart into a fine save from a curling free-kick, after his swift footwork had released Michail Antonio, only for Demichelis to brutally cut him down just outside the box with an industrial challenge.
That was also down to the reality that the home side were simply the better team, creating the better chances.
They almost caught City cold from a kick-off once again as, shortly after the resumption they again went close. Some good play down the right released Mark Noble to cross for Antonio, who headed narrowly wide.
The game then turned on the narrowest of margins. On 55 minutes, Fabian Delph hit the post with a stinging low shot, but a minute later City were behind 2-1.
West Ham won a throw on the right that Antonio launched towards the area. It was allowed to bounce straight into the box for Valencia to turn Otamendi easily and steer his second of the game past Hart.
Manuel Pellegrini realised he had to force the issue by bringing on Raheem Sterling for Navas, and then the teenager Kelechi Iheanacho for Delph.
Iheanacho’s energy started to create openings and the youngster’s 80th-minute run eventually saw the ball squirm through to Aguero, who touched the ball past Hart.
Not for the first time this season, though, City couldn’t extra momentum to create a winner.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments