After a scintillating two-goal first half performance with a style and swagger that his teams are famed for, Pep Guardiola received a reminder of the competitiveness of the Premier League as West Ham fought their way back into a thrilling encounter at the Etihad stadium.
Raheem Sterling opened the scoring for the home side in just 7 minutes. The lead was doubled by Fernandinho header from a Kevin De Bruyne free kick shortly afterwards. Thereafter the Citizens controlled the game in a manner that would please the high standards of Guardiola.
However, there was to be a twist in the tale from West Ham as Michail Antonio headed home a cross from Arthur Masauku on 58 mins. eventually Sterling closed the game in extra time with an expert finish from a very narrow-angle to put City on top of the League table as we head into the international break. Here are the major talking points.
#1 Sterling delivers yet another stellar performance
After a tumultuous couple of summers which started with a long drawn transfer out of Liverpool into City and an indifferent performance with England at the Euros, many feared that Sterling under Guardiola would be a recipe for disaster. The move, however, has rejuvenated the winger who seems to be fulfilling his potential with every passing game. It’s been 5 games, 5 wins for Guardiola and Sterling has been right at the middle of all the good things.
His dribbling has improved, and his passing is more precise with 5 assists. The manner in which he finished off the game with his stoppage time goal was enthralling as he calmly threaded the ball past James Collins from the narrowest of angles. His form bodes well for City who plan to significantly improve their European record and with such performances, Sterling has given fans a lot of hope and optimism
#2 Nolito linking up perfectly with his new teammates
While Sterling is a man reborn, Nolito is a man who has made the perfect start to his City career. After a serious of consistent performances for Celta Vigo which culminated in a first team spot in the Spanish side, many had picked Nolito to make the move to Barcelona in the summer. He was instead the first signing of the Guardiola era and has fitted seamlessly into his new team with some fantastic link-up play in his nascent City career.
His one touch play with Aguero against Steaua Bucharest in the first round of City’s Champions League qualifier lead to a beautiful goal and he was at the right place for both his goals against Stoke last week after coming on as a 70th-minute substitute. Here too he picked up David Silva’s pass to diagonally pass it back to Sterling for the opening goal. It was quick, intelligent and precise and these are attributes which will help him in his Premier League career.
#3 West Ham deserve plaudits for their spirited comeback attempt
While it could not match the joy of last season’s win at the Etihad, West Ham can go back with plenty of encouragement. Sure, their experimental back three in the first half failed miserably whilst Ashley Fletcher received no service up front and they were torn apart. But they struck back to ruffle City’s feathers in the second half. They seemed more purposeful as new signing Sam Byram replaced Gokhan Tore to push Michail Antonio into a more attacking role and the move paid dividends with the latter’s goal.
Already missing the likes of Aaron Cresswell, Diafra Sakho, Andy Carroll and Manuel Lanzini just recovering from a knee injury. And not to mention the continued absence of their star Dimitri Payet, depleted would be an understatement to describe a West Ham squad which also faces Europa League qualifiers. However, they produced a strong performance in the second half, hoping to come back from the international break with a complete squad to produce the level of football they did last year.
#4 City need a Plan B
When it works it’s as wonderful as it gets. When not, they seem to be exhausted. Pep Guardiola leaves the international break on top of the summit but he will the first to admit that his performances in all the games (barring the Bucharest qualifier) could have been better.True, they lead on goal difference which as their fans know, matters a lot.
So far this unit has demonstrated an ability to stretch itself to all corners of the pitch but it leaves the midfield prone to attack and Sunderland, Stoke and West Ham have all given a jolt, only to be overpowered by the superiority of the players. The first game after the break is the Manchester derby. Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United pose an imposing test for the new Guardiola system and it will be intriguing to know if he can conquer his first major test in the Premier League,
#5 Dimitry Payet’s absence felt again in more ways than one
“Will Dimitry Payet be sold?” It is the question on all Hammers’ fans after the man who lit up the Premier League last season was omitted from the squad yet again. The official word is that he is nursing an injury and this comes at the back of an exhausting European Championship. However Bilic has not said anything to reassure the fans that their star will indeed stay and with just a few days before the transfer window closes, speculation is rife that Payet can indeed be a shock signing for a bigger club.
After all, he’s not getting any younger and has come at the back of an extraordinary season for both West Ham and France and could be of great value to any major team. Will he be a shock signing? Only time will tell, as he close in on the 2016/17 summer transfer window.
