Manchester City 2-1 West Ham: 5 Talking Points

In what looked like quite a mismatch on paper, the league leaders welcomed a struggling West Ham team to the Etihad. Before the game, City stood 5 points clear at the top of the table, with the chance of going eight clear, yet again.

Pep Guardiola’s men fully seized on the opportunity as they ran out 2-1 winners over the Hammers, but the East London club made they them work hard for the win.

Goals from Nicolas Otamendi and David Silva were enough to give the unbeaten team their 14th win of the league season. However, for David Moyes, his team now sit in 19th place with only 10 points to their name.

Here are the main talking points from Manchester City’s 2-1 win over West Ham:

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#5 West Ham nearly stun the world

West Ham have only scored 13 goals this season

Who would have thought that a relegation bound, makeshift West Ham team would give the best team in the league a run for their money over 90 minutes. But that’s what David Moyes’ men did, they shut up shop and looked to hit on the counter.

And with Michail Antonio running into the channels, the Hammers looked like a threat to City’s porous defence. To enforce that potential danger, just before half-time, Angelo Ogbonna headed home an Aaron Creswell cross.

To the whole world’s disbelief, the 19th-placed team went into the break in the ascendancy. However, as the second half wore on, West Ham’s resilience was emphatically broken. Manchester City responded with two goals to claim all three points and win their 13th successive Premier League match.

However, for David Moyes, his team now haven’t won a league game in 8 games.

#4 Eliaquim Mangala is a weakness

Eliaquim Mangla has made 6 appearances this season

I’m sure most Manchester City fans will be thanking their lucky stars that Vincent Kompany wasn’t injured today, but just being rested for next week’s title-deciding derby. In his place, Eliaquim Mangala stepped in and showed just how much of a liability he is.

They say all title contending teams must have ample amounts of squad depth, for City that statement rings true in attack, but in defence, they’re left with Eliaquim Mangala.

It’s no surprise that Pep Guardiola sent the Frenchman out on loan last season because simply put, he doesn’t trust him. The Frenchman was Manchester City’s only weak spot in last night's team against West Ham. And clearly, David Moyes identified that early, as he instructed Michail Antonio to constantly run at the centre-back.

In both defence and attack, the centre-back was not up to the required standard. The 26-year-old misplaced 3 passes, lost 50% of his aerial duels, was dribbled past once, and was dispossessed three times.

Mangala’s performance was best summed up by his manager losing his rag over the defender getting easily bypassed in the 90th minute by Arnautovic, almost gifting the Hammers a vital equaliser.

#3 Gabriel Jesus changes the game

Gabriel Jesus has directly contributed to 13 goals this season

Manchester City went into half-time 1-0 down but when Pep Guardiola turned to the exploits of Gabriel Jesus in the second half, the game flipped on its head. The Brazilian came on at the start of the second half and instantly aided City’s play in the final third. In the first half, the Skyblues were lacking incision and creativity, all things Jesus brings to the team.

Gabriel’s movement in the box couldn’t help but destabilise West Ham’s low-block. As Fabian Delph mentioned in his post-match interview, it’s hard to play against a team that puts every single man behind the ball. Jesus combatted that tactic as his movement pulled players out of position, thus creating space for his teammates.

It was the 20-year-old’s livewire antics that led to City’s equaliser, as he squared the ball across for an outstretched Nicolas Otamendi. In his 45-minute cameo, Jesus completed 2 successful take-ons, created 1 chance, completed 16 passes, had 3 shots on goal and assisted one goal.

He showed the boss why he should never be starting games on the bench.

#2 Adrian excels in Hart’s absence

This was Adrian's first appearance of the season

Due to Premier League rules, Joe Hart was ineligible to play against his parent club at the Etihad. So, for that reason, last year’s no.1 was given a chance to prove his worth again, and prove his worth he did.

It wasn’t quite up to the heroics of David De Gea vs. Arsenal, but it was still impressive nonetheless. The 30-year-old was almost the difference maker for the Hammers, but the makeshift defence in front of him offered minimal protection.

In total, the Spaniard made 6 saves out of the 8 shots Manchester City had on target. On top of that, Adrian claimed two crosses. He may have conceded two goals, but in his defence, there was nothing he could do about either. Adrian’s performance will give new boss David Moyes some food for thought as Joe Hart has conceded 30 goals in his 14 Premier League appearances.

#1 David Silva below par, but still the difference

David Silva has directly contributed to 113 goals in his PL career

The Spaniard is undoubtedly one of the best playmakers to ever grace the Premier League. He’s the best example of how you can dominate the PL with flair alone, instead of relying on physicality. He’s paved the way for the likes of Mesut Özil and Dimitri Payet in England. However, for once, the forefather of creating chances wasn’t his usual self.

His passes weren’t connecting, his ideas weren’t coming off, and overall, he just seemingly looked off the boil. But as with all world class players, they can be the difference between 1 and 3 points. The 31-year-old popped up in the 83rd minute to exquisitely volley home a Kevin De Bruyne lofted pass.

Although not one of his better games, Silva still managed to complete 81 passes and score a winning goal.