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19th Sep 2015

5 things we learned from West Ham’s 2-1 victory over Manchester City

Simon Lloyd

Not a result many would have expected, but West Ham end Manchester City’s 100% start to the Premier League season.

Here are five things learned from an afternoon at the Etihad.

West Ham’s organisation and work rate won them the game

Victory at City follows wins for West Ham at the Emirates on the opening day and at Anfield a few weeks back. As was the case in those performances, the team’s organisation and shape was particularly impressive.

Finishing the first half with their lead being reduced to one goal, many would have expected the visitors to buckle under a second half City onslaught. Even by Bilic’s admission, West Ham were second best throughout the second half, but thanks to a dogged, resilient display, they managed to keep West Ham at bay.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Slaven Bilic manager of West Ham United looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on September 19, 2015 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Vincent Kompany’s absence hurt City

Entering the game without conceding a goal in their five previous Premier League games, the defeat only highlights the importance of Vincent Kompany to Manchester City. Of course, any team missing such a world class performer will be weakened, but the men that deputised for the City skipper were more than capable of preventing at least one of the goals they conceded.

Although Victor Moses’ first goal was a decent finish, he was afforded far too much space by Eliaquim Mangala. On the corner that lead to the second, the magnificent Winston Reid was left unmarked. With Kompany marshalling the defence, it’s likely that at least one of these goals would have been prevented.

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Winston Reid was top class

Rightly receiving man of the match, Winston Reid was phenomenal in West Ham’s defence. In a second half where Manchester City’s attacking play asked plenty of questions Reid held firm. Considering he was responsible for marking Sergio Aguero for large spells of the game, his display was all the more impressive.

during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on September 19, 2015 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

City’s frantic pace needed some David Silva calm

Injured in the warm-up, David Silva was replaced in the City starting line-up by Jesus Navas. As the home side tried to claw back a two goal deficit, the eagerness saw their possession break down in the final third on a number of occasions. Silva’s ability to find space and keep possession flowing even when in the tightest of areas was badly missed as they hunted an equaliser. Yet more evidence that, despite Aguero’s goals, Silva really is the man that makes City tick.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: A dejected Kevin de Bruyne of Manchester City after defeat in the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on September 19, 2015 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Dimitri Payet continues to impress

Following an eye-catching display last Monday, Dimitri Payet impressed again. Confident and composed with the ball at his feet, the Frenchman is starting to look like an excellent piece of business for West Ham. Allowed to run with the ball, he was the man that fed Victor Moses for the game’s opener. Not as effective in a second half where West Ham had their backs firmly to the wall, Payet’s form bodes well as West Ham end a run of difficult away fixtures.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Pedro Mba Obiang and James Tomkins of West Ham United applaud the fans during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on September 19, 2015 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

 

 

 

 

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