Barclays Premier League, Etihad Stadium, Sunday 28 August 2016
Michail Antonio’s second Premier League goal of the season was not enough as West Ham United went down to a 3-1 defeat at Manchester City.
The Hammers fell two goals down early on but produced a spirited second half performance that could have earned them a point on another day.
To be fair to Pep Guardiola’s side, who have now won three out of three, they were far the better side before the break and deserved the advantage given to them by Raheem Sterling’s first-time shot and Fernandinho’s bullet header.
However, West Ham grew in confidence as the game wore on and got back into it just before the hour-mark through that man Antonio, who headed in Arthur Masuaku’s superb cross from six yards.
While City continued to enjoy the greater possession and territory in the closing stages, the game itself was a much better contest and either side could have added to their tally.
It was the home side who did just that in added time, when Sterling collected inside the box, got past Adrian and side-footed home from an acute angle.
Slaven Bilic will now hope to return a number of key attacking players to action after the international break.
On two positive notes, young centre forward Ashley Fletcher further enhanced his reputation with another encouraging display, while Argentine midfielder Manuel Lanzini made his first appearance in the No10 shirt on his return from a knee injury.
Concentrating on the action, City dominated the opening exchanges, capitalising on any mistakes and going ahead with a beautifully crafted goal on seven minutes. England winger Sterling was the scorer, converting a Nolito cut-back after David Silva had threaded a superb ball through for his fellow Spaniard
Eleven minutes later – but not before Fletcher had fired a shot high and wide – City went two clear when Enner Valencia was penalised and Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho headed home Kevin De Bruyne’s wicked free-kick.
Into the second half and the visitors made a half-time change with Sam Byram on for Valencia. The No22 filled the right wing-back position, while Antonio moved into a more advanced role.
It took just 13 minutes for the tactical change to pay off as Masuaku teased his man before delivering a perfect cross over Willy Caballero for the No30 to power home.
The goal gave the Hammers a real shot of confidence, while City were momentarily knocked out of their rhythm.
To be fair to Guardiola’s men, they did continue to create chances, with Aguero twice hitting the side netting, Sterling firing wide and Adrian and Sam Byram combining to deny substitute Samir Nasri late on.
Into added time and, as West Ham committed men forward, Silva hit a post and, moments later, Sterling collected, rounded Adrian and finished between James Collins and the near post.
Having played two of the title favourites away from home in City and Chelsea, where they fell to an agonising 2-1 defeat, the Hammers resume with the visit of Watford to London Stadium on Saturday 10 September.
Manchester City: Cabellero, Zabaleta ©, Stones (Kolarov 59), Otamendi, Clichy, Fernandinho, Silva, De Bruyne, Nolito (Nasri 75), Sterling, Aguero (Fernando 88)
Subs not used: Hart (GK), Navas, Delph, Iheanacho
Goals: Sterling 7, 90+2, Fernandinho 18
Bookings: Fernandinho
West Ham United: Adrian, Collins, Reid (Calleri 78), Ogbonna, Antonio, Noble ©, Kouyate, Tore (Byram 46), Masuaku, Valencia (Lanzini 60), Fletcher
Subs not used: Randolph (GK), Obiang, Burke, Oxford
Goal: Antonio 58
Bookings: Masuaku, Fletcher, Noble
Referee: Andre Marriner