Having won 3-1 to go top of the Premier League we take a look at the five things we learnt from Manchester City v West Ham United.
Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling scores their third goal
Manchester City beat West Ham United 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium – a result that took them to the top of the Premier League.
With two goals from a rejuvenated Raheem Sterling and one form Fernandinho, Manchester City continued their 100% start to the Premier League season ahead of the international break.
Pep Guardiola’s side have now moved top on goal difference and even at this early stage they are setting out their intent to dominate the season with just three games gone. West Ham offered a glimmer of a fightback when Michail Antonio pulled a goal back for Slaven Bilic’s side but it was merely a consolation as City stormed to yet another commanding performance.
Having dispatched West Ham so impressively, we take a look at what was learnt from City’s 3-1 win.
1. Sterling is a man on a mission
Since the start of the season Sterling has appeared revitalised and that was capped by the two goals against West Ham. Sterling was City’s best player against West Ham and deserved both goals. While the first was a superb team move swiftly finished by the England international, the second was acutely taken as he collected the ball before rounding Adrian to finish from the tightest of angles.
Much was made of Sterling’s future when Guardiola arrived and after doing little to justify the £49m City paid Liverpool for him in July 2015, and massively under-performing for England at Euro 2016, it will have been a summer Sterling would want to forget. But having taken all this in his stride, he looks a man with a point to prove, determined to prove every single one of his doubters wrong, particularly those who questioned his place a City after the Spaniard’s arrival.
Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring their third goal
2. Sergio Aguero has done something he and City may live to regret
City’s win was somewhat overshadowed by the incident in the 76th minute that saw Aguero appear to elbow West Ham defender Winston Reid, and as the referee, Andre Marriner, did not book or send off the Argentine, the Football Association could take retrospective action.
The issue that now arises for City is that if found guilty of violent conduct, Aguero is facing a three-game ban that would rule him out of next month’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford. The suspension would also mean Aguero would miss their Premier League home game against Bournemouth and the trip to Swansea City in the League Cup.
While City may have forward options to counteract the challenge of both Bournemouth and Swansea, some will question whether the same could be said of an away game against Manchester United.
Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero
3. Guardiola is continuing where he left off at Bayern Munich
Since the start of the season City have dominated games and controlled the pace of those games. During his time at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, a key part of their dominance was the ability to control games and just as Guardiola continued with Bayern where Barcelona left off, City have continued where Bayern left off.
City now have five wins from five games and in all those games they have dominated the play and controlled possession, something associated with Guardiola’s management style, but what will concern Premier League opponents and more importantly City’s main title contenders is that Guardiola’s City only just appear to be getting started. The start Guardiola has made is near immaculate, something that should cause a great deal of concern to Jose Mourinho as he welcomes Guardiola and City to Old Trafford for their next Premier League game.
4. The Samir Nasri cameo
While Nasri’s cameo against West Ham was short and sweet, lasting only 15 minutes, it was a performance that reminded us of how good Nasri can be. This was by no means an oustanding cameo, but it was a reminder of what you would get should you make a move for the attacking midfielder before the transfer deadline. It was said that Nasri was overweight when he reported for training in the summer and this performance may have been the timely reminder to Guardiola that he at least deserves a bigger chance to show his manager that he has what it takes to be his go-to-man this season.
Manchester City’s Samir Nasri has a shot at goal
5. City need a clear-out before the end of the transfer window
Against West Ham, yet again there was no place for a number of players who have yet to play any significant part in Guardiola’s opening games as City manager. If Guardiola is to continue on the path he is currently taking the likes of Yaya Toure, Eliaquim Mangala and Wilfried Bony will play a very small part in City’s pursuit of the Premier League title this season.
While Nasri was an unexpected substitute against West Ham, meaning he could play a part in City’s plans this season, Toure, Mangala and Bony could be following Hart out of the door.
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