Big crisis for Claudio as his boys are Hammered
MAN CITY ............ 3 E VERTON ............. 1
CLAUDIO RANIERI will have to reassess Fulham’s place in the food chain after calling on his men to perform like lions not lambs.
They weren’t exactly sent to the slaughter by Manuel Pellegrini’s men but if one side could be likened to a big cat last night then it was the Chilean’s West Ham.
They let their hosts play with the ball for long periods and let them run around as much as they wanted.
And then they killed off their hopes with a couple of goals which they pretty much struck at will.
TIDINGS of joy for Gabriel Jesus arrived on a freezing and bleak midwinter day as he broke his long personal goal drought and catapulted
Manchester City back to the top of the Premier League table.
There was profound relief as much as roaring delight for the Brazilian striker as he scored for the first time in the league since the sunshine days of August.
His two goals, allied to a lively overall display, illustrated why Pep Guardiola’s team remain favourites to win the title. They have such strength in depth – and such individual resolve to overcome dips in form.
Jesus had gone 11 matches and 18 missed chances without scoring, so what made the difference here?
The player himself revealed one vital factor, saying: ‘‘My confidence is back because my family is here and that helps me a lot. I need my family in this moment.” Home comforts are an undervalued element in a footballer’s make-up, and the benefit certainly showed for Jesus yesterday, as he added: “I tried to score a hattrick but it is difficult.”
Raheem Sterling clinched victory with City’s third goal against an Everton side who threatened in patches but, in truth, flattered to deceive.
With sharper approach play and finishing, Guardiola’s men would have scored more goals as they bounced back from the surprise defeat away to Chelsea last weekend.
As it is, their team tally for the season is 48 goals from just 17 matches and at this rate they will break more records.
Everton manager Marco Silva opted to play five at the back on a day of atrocious weather, but his team started with some ambition as well, willing to pass through the lines and attack when they could.
The visitors should have scored in the 15th minute after lax defending from City full-back Kyle Walker gifted First Robert Snodgrass struck a cracker. Skipper Mark Noble played a delightful ball inside Denis Odoi to Felipe Anderson and when he stabbed a pass back to Snodgrass, the Scot thumped the ball home.
Then Michail Antonio put the game beyond Fulham shortly before the half-hour mark.
West Ham fans belted out Pellegrini’s name for the first time after a fourth victory on the spin. possession to Lucas Digne.
The cross was perfect but
Richarlison volleyed his shot over the bar.
City were far more ruthless when they were given a chance by poor play from Everton centre-back Yerry Mina. A slick pass from Leroy Sane put Jesus clear in the box and he scored with a shot under the keeper.
Relief and delight were etched on his face in equal measure as the crowd celebrated.
Moments earlier Everton keeper Jordan Pickford had made a fingertip save to keep out a deflection off his own defender Michael Keane.
Pickford pulled off another outstanding stop just before halftime to push away a powerful volley He said: “It’s significant. When we started the season so badly, without winning a game in four, I never felt any negative reaction from the fans. from Riyad Mahrez at close range. The second goal for Jesus came five minutes after the break, when Sane caressed a delicate chip into the box and the Brazilian headed clinically into the net.
Everton, frustrated by the control of City, and collecting yellow cards for poor challenges, were in danger of being swept away.
Instead, from nowhere, they fashioned a goal in the 65th minute with their first attempt on target; one very much with the stamp Made in England.
Young substitute Ademola Lookman darted at the City defence and an eventual cross from Digne was headed home by striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The moment will have
Fulham 0 West Ham 2 Tom Hopkinson
We knew last season wasn’t easy so they deserve these games and I’m very happy they are singing my name. I hope at the end of it we can sing all together.”
On a miserable night in west London, it was another miserable result for new boss Ranieri and his club – and they know they are in serious trouble.
He said: “I can say nothing today. They tried their best. My players were fighting to the end. Now I have to continue with these people and give them all my confidence.”