EPL: Man City Close Gap At The Top With Victory Over West Ham - Concluding Part

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A rare sight of Antonio losing the ball just before the hour mark in front of the City box allowed the hosts hit on a counterattack led by Sterling. The England forward strode forward on the left side, before sliding the ball to Jesus, who gets his shot past Fabianski and again was denied by a last ditch Aaron Creswell block.

Cancelo, who seemed to have carved a niche for himself on the left side of defence, despite being a right-footed player was on another adventurous move when he played a one-two with Gundogan, before getting his shot away that was smothered by Fabianski.

West Ham continued to grow into the game, although rarely threatening the City goal. A chance presented itself to the visitors when Jack Bowen teed up Declan Rice, whose dipping effort was well saved by Ederson.

Shortly after, Man City almost wrapped things up when Sterling played in Gundogan, whose shot was easily read by Fabianski, rushing out to prevent the goal.

Then came the frenzy final minutes that produced three goals, of which just two counted, one each for either side.

West Ham had a chance to clear the ball when Manuel Lanzini won back the ball, only for Bowen to gift City back the ball. Gundogan then played Fernandinho in, who had a lot of time to pick his spot and slot past the goalkeeper and City killed off the game.

The hosts got another chance moments later when Silva chipped his effort over Fabianski, but replays showed he was well offside in the buildup, before West Ham finally struck.

Fernandinho, after being a beneficiary of slack play at the back by West Ham for his own goal, reciprocated the benefit. He chested the ball down casually allowing Lanzini nick the ball off him, before taking a touch and sending a thunderous shot into the top corner. A goal worthy of a match winner only turned out to be a consolation for Moyes’ men.

Concluding Thoughts

City showed the attitude of champions, despite the bad conditions, still held their ground to see off a stubborn West Ham, who tried to harm them.

Guardiola’s men went level on points with Chelsea at the top of the log with the win, prior to the Blues’ draw against Manchester United later on with the gap between them now narrowed down to one point.

West Ham still sit in 4th position, joint on 23 points with Arsenal in 5th, but with a better goal difference.

Moyes would need to get hold of the ship so as not to allow their fine start to the season fizzle away following their second consecutive loss in the league.