Sizzling City stroll past weakened West Ham

PEP GUARDIOLA was recruited to rewrite the record books at Manchester City, and yesterday he made his initial entry. He is the first Manchester City manager to win his opening five games straight. It’s not the Champions League trophy; but it’s a start.

Of course, there are greater challenges than Sunderland, Steaua Bucharest and West Ham at home, and Stoke and Steaua Bucharest away, but City are playing good football and going into the international break sit top of the league on goals scored. Only three games in, mind, but he would have settled for that the day the campaign began.

This match was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests – City two goals clear after 18 minutes, West Ham only back in it because Willy Cabellero is weak at crosses.

The Guardiola effect may be felt in other ways, too, judging by the images of Sergio Aguero throwing a blatant elbow at Winston Reid in the 77th minute.

The West Ham defender left the field but referee Andre Marriner clearly decided that a member of lovely Pep’s team couldn’t possibly be up to anything nefarious and took no action. If the Football Association are doing their job, however, the matter won’t end there and Aguero could end up with a three-match ban. At the very least, he is likely to miss the Manchester derby.

It was an unnecessary and foolish act, considering City were largely in control. Aguero is too good to be dragged into costly vendettas. Quite why Aguero got himself as good as banned for the first cup final of the season is a mystery.

West Ham actually lasted six minutes and 45 seconds before conceding which, to be fair, was one minute and 45 seconds longer than most thought they would last. a way through and in the seventh minute it came. It was started by another strong run from Silva, breezing through West Ham’s midfield before laying the ball wide to Nolito on the left. He cut it back perfectly for Sterling, who shot first time for his first goal of the Guardiola era.

Arthur Masuaku was living dangerously, struggling with Sterling and booked for a foul on Kevin de Bruyne and ultimately it was a free-kick that gave City a calming lead.

De Bruyne whipped it in quite magnificently, a perfect delivery, and Fernandinho’s desire outstripped the awareness of West Ham’s back line. He was never on their radar and quite alone when he powered his header past goalkeeper Adrian with the force of a shot.

In the other match yesterday, West Bromwich Albion missed a chance to move into the top six when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Middlesbrough. – Daily Mail