Man City 2 – 1 West Ham

A GOAL in each half from Andy Cole saw City secure a victory over West Ham and pushed them up to fourth in the Premiership.

Cole sparkled in an all-round City performance that saw them carve open the Hammers' defence repeatedly and would have delighted any neutral watching the match.

A typically tap-in from six yards out by Cole put City 2 – 0 up with just over half-an-hour left but his first goal was a real beauty.

After just 18 minutes Vassell and Cole exchanged passes that saw Vassell break into the box and as he was closed down back heel the ball into the path of his strike partner.

Cole was to the left of the goal and yet he curled the ball up and over Carroll in the West Ham goal, a truly magnificent strike that is sure to have the pundits purring.

A Bobby Zamora goal deep in injury time gave the result a bit of a false appearance as the Blues had dominated much of the game - West Ham cleared off the line three times.

But City played with a confidence and assurance that has not been seen for many years, each player aware of the work that needs to be put in but also the jobs they are responsible for.

Sylvain Distin played with commanding authority and showed real leadership, especially as young Nedum Onuoha started along side him, surely a call up to the French squad can’t be far away for the City captain.

Another player who showed real determination was Kiki Musampa who posed a threat and received the highest compliment any winger can receive, West Ham’s right full back Tomas Repka was replaced at half-time.

Overall another entertaining, high-tempo performance and the Blues are beginning to set standards for themselves that other teams are going to find it hard to match.

Teams:
Man City:
James: (7, little to do but exemplary when needed)
Mills: (8, confident and mature show)
Onuoha: (7, did what was asked)
Distin: (9, captain’s performance)
Jordan: (7, lost concentration a little)
Reyna: (8, kept it tight)
Barton: (8, on the right but kept shape)
Ireland: (8, provides a different pace)
Musampa: (8, much better)
Cole: (9, first of two goals a beauty, great intelligence)
Vassell: (8, pace is a threat)
Subs: Croft for Ireland 81mins, (7, threat against tired defence)
Jihai for Cole 87mins
Subs not used: Sommeil, Sibierski, De Vlieger

West Ham: Carroll, Repka (Dailly 45), Gabbidon, Ferdinand, Konchesky, Benayoun, Mullins, Reo-Coker, Etherington (Newton 82), Sheringham (Zamora 67), Harewood. Subs Not Used: Bellion, Hislop.

Att: 43,647. Ref: M Clattenburg.