Sunday, October 16, 2005

Man City claim deserved win

Man City edged out West Ham 2-1 today but really it should have been much more for City. City beat Wets Ham in front of a record attendance for the season of 43,647 to lift them to fourth place in the league. City started brightly and nearly scored after 10 minutes. Mills flicked a teasing corner from Kiki Musampa towards goal only to be thwarted by Benayoun. But West Ham were powerless to prevent Cole and Vassell's superb interplay creating the space for City's opener. The two strikers exchanged passes, opening up the City defence, before Cole - who turned 34 on Saturday - curled the ball across Carroll from a tight angle.


On the stroke of half-time, Konchesky cleared off the line again, heading away Onuoha's effort after another Musampa corner rattled the West Ham defence. City continued to threaten after the break - Carroll saving from Cole and Vassell in quick succession. As the match opened up, a flick from Harewood inside his own half set Etherington through on goal but, after eluding three players in pursuit, he could find no way past James.

Carroll, who was becoming increasingly involved, saved from Vassell and then palmed away a strike from Musampa, but the ball broke for Cole via Danny Gabbidon and the striker smashed the ball into the net. Cole should have completed his hat-trick after 75 minutes but, with time to pick his spot, he shot wide from 10 yards. Benayoun almost notched a late goal for the Hammers but James smothered the ball at his feet. But Benayoun did play his part in West Ham finding the net, his angled pass playing through substitute Zamora through to slide the ball past James on the stroke of full-time.

To be perfectly honest City should have won the game by at least three or four goals because they had so much clear cut chances. The win for Stuart Pearces men lifts them into a Champions League spot and level on points with Manchester rivals United. City were in control of virtually all of proceddings and West Ham couldn't create enough chances to take something away from the City Of Manchester Stadium.