Manchester City put talk of dressing room disharmony aside to produce the perfect team display as Roberto Mancini's multi-million pound squad moved level on points with Premier League leaders Arsenal.
City, without suspended former Hammers striker Carlos Tevez, dominated from kick-off, and it was no surprised when Yaya Toure rifled in the opener on the half-hour mark.
The home side rallied after the break and had appeals for a penalty turned down for handball against Yaya Toure.
However, the Ivory Coast midfielder then helped the visitors double their lead when his shot hit the post and went in off goalkeeper Robert Green, before substitute Adam Johnson wrapped things up with nine minutes left.
James Tomkins headed in a late consolation for the Hammers, who face a real battle for survival in 2011.
The visitors should have taken an early lead when Mario Balotelli - involved in a training ground bust-up with team-mate Jerome Boateng earlier this month - missed his kick in the six-yard box from Jo's low cross.
West Ham looked to hit City on the counter-attack, but despite some promising runs from Scott Parker, there were few options offered in the final third.
Junior Stanislas fired his 25-yard free-kick high into the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand.
Upton Park nearly sparked into life after 22 minutes when Stanislas cut inside the City box from the left and drilled an angled strike goalwards, which Joe Hart did well to hold.
Yaya Toure ran through the West Ham rearguard, but his flick from just inside the penalty area lacked power.
City went in front after 30 minutes after a quick break when Gareth Barry fed the ball back to Yaya Toure just inside the area.
Despite an attempted diving tackle by Jonathan Spector, the midfielder crashed his shot into the top corner.
The travelling supporters were chanting "We're going to win the league'' as the visitors went close to a second goal when Pablo Barrera hacked Balotelli's header off the line.
The home fans, though, had little to cheer about, with the atmosphere inside Upton Park very flat.
Parker remained industrious and created space for a 20-yard effort, which sailed harmlessly wide.
Julien Faubert did well to turn and whip the ball across the City penalty area, and Frederic Piquionne was unfortunate to see his header fly just over.
West Ham needed some inspiration for the second half, but there was little forthcoming - much to the frustration of the home support.
Victor Obinna drilled the ball in towards the near post from the right, but Hart got there just ahead of Piquionne.
Yaya Toure tried his luck from long distance with a fierce effort, but Green showed strong hands to pluck the ball out of the air.
There were more than a few hefty challenges being put in by both sides, as referee Phil Dowd did his best to let the game flow.
However, as the hour mark approached, Balotelli had pushed his protests too far and was cautioned.
Mancini withdrew Balotelli, sending on England international Johnson, possibly to avoid the temperamental Italian getting himself sent off.
It just about summed up West Ham's afternoon when Obinna cut the ball back from the byline, and Piquionne stepped over - only for Barrera to blast his shot high into the Bobby Moore Stand.
This was a good spell for West Ham now, as for the first time in the match, City came under some sustained pressure.
There were penalty appeals for handball against Yaya Toure as a corner came in, but with so many players jumping, it would have been somewhat harsh.
After 73 minutes, Yaya Toure picked up the ball on the left, ghosted past marker James Tomkins and darted goalwards. His shot hit the near post, bounced off the unfortunate Green's back and into the net for an own goal.
Not surprisingly, all the spirit was drained from the hosts, who continued to defend deep.
The home side were caught again when David Silva slipped in Johnson, who rounded Green and wrapped things up for big-spending City with nine minutes left, before Tomkins headed in a late consolation.
Brian Kidd believes Manchester City are finally starting to show the qualities needed to last the distance in the race for the Premier League title.
"I think the work the manager has put in is absolutely fantastic,'' said City assistant manager Kidd. "His work ethic is fantastic, his passion and desire is first class.
"It doesn't come overnight, but the work we have put in this season and last is starting to show. I think the club are very lucky to have him as manager. He is a winner. There is no way the boss will let the pressure get to him, he's too meticulous.''
With rivals Arsenal and Manchester United going head to head at Old Trafford on Monday night and Chelsea, who are away to Tottenham on Sunday, also facing both in the hectic festive schedule, City could capitalise if they maintain form.
Kidd, though, insists no-one at Eastlands is getting carried away.
"You don't win anything in December, but if we are in the shake-up in March or April, we can start thinking about it,'' the City assistant reflected. "People have said about the fixtures coming up, but you have to make sure you win your games.
"It is not being flippant, because it a long haul in the Premier League and in the past, we have seen that some teams have flattered to deceive.''
For West Ham, it was another case of what might have been, as if referee Phil Dowd had awarded a spot-kick against goalscorer Toure, Avram Grant's relegation battlers may well have taken something from the game.
The Irons are still within striking distance of safety, but cannot afford many more defeats or they will be cut adrift.
"It was a penalty but the referee didn't see it. It could change the game but we don't want to complain,'' Grant said. "Manchester City were a better team then us, especially when we lost seven players that usually play. The boys are trying, that is what is important to us.
"While we are not in the middle of the season there is time to turn it, but we do not like where we are. I don't know how many points we will need, but we can win two out of the next three games.''
Grant took Chelsea to the 2008 Champions League final, and also pushed United for the Premier League crown. The Israeli feels City could go on to lift the title in May.
"They could be champions, for sure,'' he said. "There is a big balance between the quality players, they weren't in the game then they can score a goal. They are also very physical. I am sure they can go on to win.''
No comments:
Post a Comment