Silva lining as City make their late breakthrough
● Stubborn West Ham finally broken down as the league leaders maintain winning run ● Saints grab a point in south coast derby
David Silva volleyed a late winner as Premier League leaders Manchester City came from behind to beat stubborn West Ham 2-1 at the Etihad yesterday.
The Spaniard volleyed home from close range seven minutes from time after being picked out by a brilliant Kevin De Bruyne cross.
City had trailed at half-time to an Angelo Obgonna header, but dominated the second period and pulled level through Nicolas Otamendi. Their win was their 13th in succession in the Premier League, a club record 20th straight in all competitions and restored an eight-point lead at the top of the table. West Ham remain without a win under new manager David Moyes but, after forcing City to rely on late heroics for a third successive game, they will take much encouragement.
Having seen Huddersfield and Southampton stifle City in the past week and go close to getting a result, Moyes decided to replicate their formula. It proved successful in the first half as City dominated possession but struggled to create clearcut chances. West Ham actually had the better openings, even though they saw little of the ball.
Their first chance came as Michail Antonio, playing as a lone striker, volleyed over from close range. Silva had the hosts’ best opportunity of the first half when his deflected long-range strike was tipped over by Adrian.
Apart from that it proved a frustrating period for City, who were almost caught out when Manuel Lanzini broke into the area, but Ederson saved.
West Ham were rewarded for their hard work on the stroke of half-time. A setpiece proved City’s undoing as Ogbonna rose following a short corner to power in a header from an Aaron Cresswell cross. The equaliser came just before the hour after the increasingly impressive Adrian pushed away a De Bruyne freekick. City kept the ball moving and Jesus crossed for Otamendi, pictured, to scramble home his fourth goal of the season.
City then stepped up
the tempo and Adrian did well to save twice from Sane and also keep out further efforts from De Bruyne and Sterling.
Pressure eventually paid off as De Bruyne picked out Silva with a superb lofted cross into the box and the spaniard met it with a firm volley.
Earlier, Nathan Redmond helped Southampton rescue a much-needed point against south coast rivals Bournemouth. Redmond was left on the bench by Mauricio Pellegrino but came on at halftime to set up Charlie Austin’s equaliser after Ryan Fraser had earlier put the home side in front.
The 1-1 draw means Bournemouth climb to 14th in the table, five points above the relegation zone, while Southampton move up to 11th.
Austin’s goal was his third in three games and, coming on only his second Premier League start this season, will offer Saints encouragement that he can be the solution to their scoring problems.