Manchester City travelled to West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday knowing that a win would take them into second and just one point behind the league leaders Leicester City.
West Ham led inside one minute courtesy of a smart finish from Enner Valencia, but Sergio Aguero levelled the scores just eight minutes later from the penalty spot.
The home side were back ahead in the 56th minute when Valencia scored his second of the match, but City again hit back through Aguero as the points were shared in the English capital.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from the Boleyn Ground as West Ham United welcome Manchester City to the capital. The Hammers are in the mix for the top four with 22 games played, while Man City have seemingly recovered from a blip (away from home) to get their title challenge firmly back on track. It should be a cracking game of football!
After winning just one of their previous 14 league games against Man City, West Ham have won two of the last three meetings – including an impressive 2-1 victory at the Etihad earlier this season. Indeed, victory for West Ham this afternoon would see them complete a league double over Man City for the first time since the 1962-63 season, when they won both meetings 6-1.
The Hammers actually lost each of their first two home league games this season, but they are unbeaten in the eight since then – winning four times in the process. Slaven Bilic's team have also only lost one of their last nine in the league, but that came away to Newcastle United last weekend. If the Hammers are to challenge for the top six or indeed the top four this season, then they will need to take points off the teams above them, which they have managed thus far this campaign.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the English capital. Who have Bilic and Manuel Pellegrini selected? Let's have a look...
TEAMS:
WEST HAM: Adrian; Jenkinson, Reid, Collins, Cresswell; Kouyate, Song; Antonio, Noble, Payet; Valencia
CITY: Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Demichelis, Clichy; Toure, Delph; Silva, De Bruyne, Navas; Aguero
So there we have it. Alex Song is back for the home side this afternoon, with the midfielder selected in the middle of the park. Enner Valencia, who has been in good form, will lead the line for the Hammers, while the excellent Dimitri Payet starts in a wide position. No real surprises. New signing from Leeds United, Sam Byram, makes the bench for Bilic's team this afternoon.
As for Man City, there is a start in midfield for Fabian Delph, who will seemingly operate alongside Yaya Toure in a defensive midfield position. That leaves Fernando and Fernandinho both on the bench for the visitors, with David Silva, Kevin de Bruyne and Jesus Navas selected as the three attackers behind Sergio Aguero. Raheem Sterling is only on the bench for Pellegrini's side.
The two teams are in and we are now little under 40 minutes from kickoff on this cold late afternoon in London. The atmosphere is already building inside the stadium and there is no question that the home supporters are expecting a win tonight. Indeed, a Hammers victory would give them 38 points and represent their highest-ever total after 23 matches of a single Premier League season.
West Ham ended Man City's 11-game winning streak in the Premier League when they won 2-1 at the Etihad back in September and the London side have also already beaten the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool on the road this season. As it stands, they are sixth in the table on 35 points and on course for a top-half finish. Slowly but surely, they have assembled an excellent squad.
Fourteen different players have scored a Premier League goal for West Ham this season, which is an indication of their ability to spread goals throughout the team. Andy Carroll cannot seem to keep himself fit and the same can be said for a number of their forward players, but they have had consistency in midfield and at the back, which has seen them pick up some excellent results.
There was also some fighting talk from Bilic in his pre-match press conference when questioned on Man City: "They are definitely one of the favourites to win the league, but like other big teams they are also not that consistent - which is not their failure as it is not only them but all the big clubs, which shows that the smaller clubs have closed the gap." Let me bring you the full-times from today...
... FT RESULTS: Norwich 4-5 Liverpool, Palace 1-3 Spurs, Leicester 3-0 Stoke, Man United 0-1 Southampton, Sunderland 1-1 Bournemouth, Watford 2-1 Newcastle, West Brom 0-0 Aston Villa
As for Man City, Pellegrini's side will enter the match off the back of a 4-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend, which moved them onto 43 points. Leicester's win over Stoke this afternoon has moved the Foxes four points clear of City at the top, but victory here would take the Manchester outfit above Arsenal and into second. Arsenal have a date with Chelsea tomorrow afternoon.
Man City actually lost three times in the league between November 21 and December 21 – winning just twice in the process. Their last defeat came at Arsenal before Christmas, which allowed the Gunners to move clear at the top. It has been a decent response from the title challengers, however, who have won three of their last five in the league without suffering defeat.
City have also kept three successive clean sheets in all competitions, but their troubles on the road are shown by the fact that they have only scored 10 goals in 10 away fixtures in the top flight this season, compared to 33 in 12 on home soil. Sergio Aguero is now fit and firing, however, and the Argentine just loves playing against West Ham, having scored four times and registered two assists in his last seven Premier League appearances against the Hammers.
Interestingly, the average age of Man City's starting XI in the Premier League this season has been 28 years and 182 days. Only West Bromwich Albion have an older side on average, which will be a concern for the club's supporters. They have enjoyed a lot of success in recent seasons, but they are not really bringing any young players through, certainly not as first-team regulars.
Man City also only have the ninth-best away record in the league this season, having won four of their 10 matches, losing three times in the process. At home, they have been very strong, but there is a problem on the road and they might well cost them the title this season. The atmosphere is really building as we approach kickoff at the Boleyn Ground in the capital.
What will we see from Payet (pictured below sucking his thumb) in this match? The Frenchman is a real cult-hero at West Ham and why on earth not? His performances have been just sensational. He could cause Man City all sorts of problems given the time and space here...
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A reminder of the two teams here...
WEST HAM: Adrian; Jenkinson, Reid, Collins, Cresswell; Kouyate, Song; Antonio, Noble, Payet; Valencia
CITY: Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Demichelis, Clichy; Toure, Delph; Silva, De Bruyne, Navas; Aguero
KICKOFF! The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. As expected, there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this early evening in the English capital. Time for the football - it is the visitors that kick us off at the Boleyn Ground...
GOAL! West Ham 1-0 Man City (Valencia)
Oh my word! West Ham take the lead in the second minute as Kouyate holds off Toure in a wide position before crossing for Valencia, who fires his effort past Hart. What a start here!
Incredible start from the home side, who have not allowed Man City to settle in the opening four minutes of this match. Toure is again playing into central midfield for the visitors, but he just does not want to defend. This has been discussed time and time again, and it keeps costing them!
Half-chance for the visitors as Silva sets up Navas inside the box, but his effort is blocked by Reid, before the hosts break with Jenkinson. All-action start in this fast-paced encounter!
POST! Beans! Aguero does brilliantly to lift the ball over Adrian from a tight angle, but the Argentine's effort hits the post before Reid chests into the arms of his goalkeeper!
PENALTY MAN CITY!
Man City have a penalty as Jenkinson fells Aguero inside the box. It was a bit soft, but the right-back gave the referee a decision to make. Good grief what an opening nine minutes here.
GOAL! West Ham 1-1 Man City (Aguero, pen)
Aguero tucks his effort into the bottom corner and the visitors are level here.
Jenkinson hits the deck and cannot continue. West Ham change coming up here...
... WEST HAM SUB! It is a debut for Byram, who replaces Jenkinson at right-back.
Jenkinson actually wanted to continue there, but the decision was taken away from him. Well, it has been a super opening 14 minutes to this match and I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals. Neither team has looked particularly strong at the back in the early exchanges.
The referee has been forced to intervene following a number of late challenges and West Ham have the chance to load the City box as Payet delivers, but Otamendi is on hand to head clear.
Just a reminder that Man City need a win here to move above Arsenal into second place, but a win for West Ham would take them above Manchester United and into fifth. The game has just settled following that lively opening, but both teams continue to commit players in the final third.
It has been a decent spell for Man City in the last couple of minutes, with Silva having a low cross blocked during a period of sustained pressure. West Ham manage to break down the other end, however, and the man-mountain that is Antonio wins a throw for his team off Otamendi.
Kouyate is down and does not look comfortable here...
... it was a poor challenge from Toure on Kouyate, but the referee said no foul. Bizarre.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but the match is still end-to-end as both teams commit players in the final third. It is a fascinating watch in London.
The atmosphere has just settled down, which is a reflection of matters on the field. Song has had a strong opening 28 minutes for the home side and looks to be winning his battle with Toure, but Silva looks a threat for the visitors each time he has possession in the final third.
Almost an opportunity for the away side as Aguero fakes a shot outside the box before poking a pass into Toure, but the midfielder just cannot collect and West Ham have a goal kick.
We have not seen an awful lot from De Bruyne in a wide position here, which of course means he will score a hat-trick in the second period now I have mentioned it. West Ham continue to look for the out-ball towards Valencia, but it is not really sticking in the final third of the field.
BOOKING! Demichelis (Man City) is booked for a late challenge on Antonio.
West Ham have a free kick in a very good position here...
... SAVE! World-class goalkeeping from Hart as the Man City stopper flies across his goal to keep out a wonderful free kick from Payet. That is so, so good from Hart.
Payet delivers another free kick into the City box, but this time Demichelis heads clear!
Payet goes for the spectacular as he lets the ball drop over his head, but the Frenchman's effort was always wide of the post. That save from Hart, just seen the replay, oh my word.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and the two teams are still level at 1-1. It seems a long time ago that Valencia sent the home side into the lead, that is for sure. The referee just needs to get hold of things here as the handbags come out between the players!
BOOKING! Noble (West Ham) is booked for a poor challenge on Navas.
Hart is at full stretch once again to palm away a cross from Cresswell.
West Ham are back on top as this match approaches the half-time break. Man City will feel that they have controlled the possession for long spells, but Payet is starting to boss this game.
Antonio receives a huge ovation from the home supporters as he tracks back to push Aguero off the ball. Not much time left in this first half and it appears we will enter the break all square.
Three additional minutes at the end of this first period.
Navas has not offered too much for Man City this half and you sense that Sterling will be introduced at some point in the second period. Augero and Silva have been the away side's best two players in the final third, but it has been largely comfortable for West Ham at the back.
HALF-TIME: West Ham 1-1 Man City
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. West Ham took the lead inside the first minute through Valencia, but the visitors were level in the ninth minute when Aguero converted from the penalty spot. It has been a super game in London.
STATS! Man City have just shaded the possession with 53%, while they have had three attempts - one of which was on target. West Ham, meanwhile, hit the target with two of their three attempts. There have also been two yellow cards - Noble for West Ham and Demichelis for Man City.
BENCH WATCH! West Ham have already been forced into one change this evening - Byram replacing the injured Jenkinson in just the 13th minute. The Hammers, however, still have plenty of options in the shape of Moses, Jelavic and Obiang. Man City, meanwhile, have the likes of Iheanacho, Sterling, Angelino and Fernandinho on what is an attack-minded bench.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players have re-joined us on the field for the second period of football. Will we have a winner at the Boleyn Ground? West Ham restart the action here...
... you get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be massive in terms of the final result here. I can see this game being 2-1, but I would not like to pick a winner here!
City have a free kick in a dangerous area outside the West Ham box...
... Toure takes, but his effort is straight into the wall. Poor.
Toure is more than likely going to win this game with an absolute stunner now I have mentioned it, but for me, the Ivorian leaves his team so, so open at times. He is not interested in working back and Payet is having all sorts of fun in the space vacated by the powerhouse midfielder.
CHANCE! Wonderful football from West Ham as Payet sets up Noble, who delivers into the head of Antonio, but his effort is just wide of the post. Super from Payet once again.
Man City have not really threatened since the second period started and it would not be a surprise to see Sterling introduced, even at this stage. Navas has been poor for the visitors.
POST! Man City come close to taking the lead as Delph's deflected effort heads for the bottom corner, but it catches the post before West Ham clear. Better from the away side!
GOAL! West Ham 2-1 Man City (Valencia)
Wow! West Ham regain the lead in the 56th minute as a long throw from Antonio reaches Valencia, who shrugs off Otamendi before toe-poking the ball past Hart from close range!
City are going to need one of their star players to bail them out once again tonight. As it stands, West Ham are heading into fifth position in the table, above Manchester United. City, meanwhile, will have missed a big chance to move into second. Still more than 30 minutes left here though!
Navas strikes one from a wide angle, but it is fairly comfortable for Adrian, who gets down to keep out the strike. Wonderful noise inside the stadium as the second half continues to develop.
How bizarre is this season's Premier League? It has been ridiculous at times. Some crazy results and it is just not a surprise anymore when the top teams are beaten. It happens so often now.
WEST HAM SUB! Antonio is replaced by Moses in West Ham's second sub.
CLOSE! Song whistles one just wide of Hart's post!
MAN CITY SUB! Sterling replaces Navas for the away team.
Little over 20 minutes of this Premier League clash remaining and West Ham still lead 2-1, which would be good enough to take them into fifth position in the table, ahead of Manchester United and just behind Tottenham. Man City, meanwhile, would remain third behind Leicester and Arsenal.
BOOKING! Byram (West Ham) is booked for a foul on Delph.
CLOSE! Aguero rises incredibly well to meet a cross from Sagna, but his header is just wide of the post. The Argentine has such a stunning leap for a relatively small man.
Possession football from Man City in the last couple of minutes, but they are just struggling to find that final pass, with Silva guilty of giving away the ball after super work from Aguero.
MAN CITY SUB! Iheanacho replaces Delph for the away team.
Little over 10 minutes of this clash remaining and the home side still lead 2-1. As expected, Man City are doing most of the pressing, but West Ham have a serious threat on the counter, with Moses and Valencia willing runners and Payet good enough to pick even the hardest of passes.
Couple of half-chances for both teams, but Sterling's low cross is collected by Adrian, before Moses fires over down the other end. West Ham keep closing the door on City's attacks here.
GOAL! West Ham 2-2 Man City (Aguero)
Man City level the scores as Aguero makes use of a bouncing ball inside the West Ham box to calmly finish into the back of the net. The Argentine never looked like missing from there.
It is all City now and West Ham will have to do some defending in the final five minutes or so if they want to claim something from this match. Toure strikes from distance, but Adrian collects.
MAN CITY SUB! Fernando replaces Silva for the away team.
One-way traffic at the moment as Man City continue to overload the box, with Toure now right alongside Aguero in the final third. It is all very frantic at the back for the home side here!
WEST HAM SUB! Jelavic replaces Valencia.
Payet does brilliantly to slip his marker and deliver into Jelavic, but Otamendi is across to clear as West Ham gain a corner in the final couple of minutes. Will we have a winner in London?
BOOKING! Toure (Man City) is booked for a foul on Jelavic.
Three additional minutes have been added here.
West Ham win a vital free kick in their own half as the minutes tick on here.
Brilliant defending from Reid as the centre-back stands his ground to challenge De Bruyne.
CHANCE! Aguero fires at Adrian and that should be that!
BOOKING! Fernando (Man City) is booked for a foul on Moses.
CROSSBAR! The final chance goes to West Ham as Kouyate meets a free kick from Payet, but his header clips the crossbar and drops over! Wow!
FULL-TIME: West Ham 2-2 Man City
So there we have it. The point is enough to move Man City above Arsenal into second, but West Ham have missed the chance to move above Man United into fifth. On balance, a 2-2 draw is a fair reflection of the events in London. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
