Manchester City have moved 7 points clear of fifth place with a 2-0 win against West Ham in recovery from last week’s derby loss. On the whole, it was a good performance from The Blues, with the only notable downside being David Silva getting stretchered off and reportedly taken to hospital with a suspected broken cheekbone.
City played a somewhat weakened team, due in part to pre-existing injuries, and also due to some players being left out after last weekend. Fernandinho found himself on the bench in place of Fernando, while Mangala found himself back in the starting lineup, replacing Vincent Kompany.
The game started strong for City, with the visitors to get many touches of the ball and the hosts looking in control, although not able to break down a stubborn West Ham defence. However they did manage to break the deadlock on 18 minutes, although maybe not in the way some would have expected. Jesus Navas managed to pick up the ball on the right of midfield, and ran with it before putting in a low cross, which ended up at the feet of West Ham defender James Collins, and despite the Welshman having time and space he managed to slice it over his keeper with his first touch, with the ball bouncing off the bar and across the line, much to many fans’ surprise.
18 minutes later, City doubled their lead with a swift, effective counter-attack which was instigated by Yaya Toure. The Ivorian found Aguero just inside the Hammers’ half, and the Argentine moved forward before giving it to Navas on his right. Aguero continued his run, and was found as he ran into the box with a return pass from the winger, which the Argentine was able to finish easily to make it 2-0.
That was how the score stayed until the end, and the biggest incident in the second half was probably the injury to Silva. Some believed Kouyate should have received a red for an elbow to the magical midfielder, but the Senegalese player only received a yellow. The injured player, Silva, was laid on the ground for over five minutes receiving treatment, before eventually being stretchered off with an oxygen mask on. Reports afterwards suggested it was a broken cheekbone, and he was taken to hospital. Because of the injury, there were 9 minutes of injury time but The Blues were able to hold out for the 2-0 win.
The victory now leaves them 7 points clear of Liverpool, although The Reds do have a game in hand due to not being in league action this weekend. With 5 games left this season, City fans will start to feel more confident that we’re going to secure Champions League for next season. The Blues are also now just a point behind United after The Red Devils lost at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Now, we’ll just be hoping this win isn’t an anomaly, and our form continues to improve for the rest of the season.
