Manchester City scored a scrappy late equaliser in a pulsating 2-2 draw at The Boleyn Ground. West Ham will feel very disheartened to go home without the three points, but can take a lot from a game that showed exactly what they have been about this season.
Valencia twice put us in front, with Aguero getting both for City. We hit the post with the last attack of the game through Kouyate’s header from Payet’s fantastic delivery. Manchester City did hit the woodwork twice as well, in a match that was more about attacking play than defence’s being on top.
First Half
We started on the front foot, and it took just 53 seconds to take the lead. Kouyate brushed past Yaya Toure like he wasn’t there and his cross found its way to Enner Valencia to power past Joe Hart. It was a fantastic driving run from Kouyate down the left, and Valencia showed real composure with his first time finish.
A couple of minutes later there was a real moment of panic in the West Ham defence as Aguero’s sensational flicked finish beat Adrian but didn’t manage to beat the inside of the post. After 7 minutes, Carl Jenkinson’s clumsy challenge on Aguero gifted City a penalty when there was no real danger. The Argentine striker was going away from goal. Aguero sent Adrian the wrong way from the spot to make it 1-1 after 9 minutes.
Jenkinson went down injured shortly after the penalty was given, and Slaven Bilic was forced into replacing the Arsenal loanee with new signing Sam Byram after only 12 minutes.
The match started to become a real end to end affair, with Toure getting away with a definite yellow card challenge on Kouyate as the Senegalese midfielder stormed past him again on the counter. This wasn’t the only controversial decision that went against Bilic’s side, and The Boleyn Ground let the referee know on more than one occasion.
Demichelis’s cynical challenge received a yellow card as Antonio rounded him and looked to be bearing down on goal, and was the least that the Argentine defender deserved. West Ham have riches of talent in the free kick department, and it took a outrageous Joe Hart save to deny Dimitri Payet’s cracking effort from 25 yards. Payet was growing into the game, and made De Bruyne and Navas look stupid with one movement, presenting West Ham with another dangerous free kick. City managed to clear the resulting set piece.
We seemed far more up for this battle than in the previous game against Newcastle, the players fighting for every ball. But Noble was a bit over feisty with a bad challenge on Navas resulting in a yellow card.
More Payet magic put Cresswell away down the left, and his floated cross caused all kinds of problems for Hart but the England number one again managed to scrape the ball away. We were the better side for long spells in the first half, and if it wasn’t for some defensive madness after a terrific start we would have gone in at half time with a deserved lead.
Second Half
City started the second half well, but a clever quick free kick and some energetic Valencia play culminated in a corner. The corner broke down but Payet and Noble recycled possession, with Noble feeding in a superb cross for Antonio who headed inches wide at the far post. So unlucky from Antonio who was looking sharp again.
Aguero and Delph then linked up on the edge of our penalty area. Delph’s low drive flicked off Byram’s standing foot and hit the post.
But 60 seconds later, we were back in front with Enner Valencia the man again. Antonio with a defence splitting long throw that Valencia chased and poked home from 6 yards. Great quick thinking and improvisation from Antonio. Valencia with a great run in behind the defence, showing strength to stay ahead of Otamendi and again a cracking finish under pressure. The Ecuador attacker really responded to criticism well and showed Upton Park what he is all about. 57 minutes played, we were 2-1 up.
Alex Song went close to adding a third with an audacious effort. And just after the hour mark Victor Moses, who scored a cracker against City earlier in the season, came on in place of Antonio who probably deserved to stay on.
We were dealing with City’s attack with relative ease until a fortunate goal spun the game on its head. Reid’s tackle was strong, and it cannoned off an unlucky Cresswell leaving Aguero with a simple finish inside the box. The Argentine had his second of the game. It could have probably been dealt with better, but was an extremely unfortunate goal to concede when it looked like we would see the game out at 2-1.
Bilic used his final substitution after 86 minutes. Valencia came off, after working his socks off, and was replaced by Jelavic. The Croat had an immediate impact, forcing two corners as we tried to regain the lead once again.
Aguero had one last City chance, but put it straight at Adrian. Before went up the other end and won a free kick centrally. Payet’s ball in was delicious, but Kouyate’s powerful header clipped the crossbar with Joe Hart beaten. It proved to be the last touch in a great West Ham performance, where we should have seen City off on the balance of play.
Verdict
A good result that we probably would have taken before the match. Yet on balance of play Bilic’s side will feel slightly hard done by, having played so well. It looked like Manchester City had run out of steam but one sloppy defensive moment let Aguero in to beat Adrian late on.
Other than perhaps Jenkinson, none of these players deserved to draw. It was a fantastic midfield performance from all 3, showing that the 3 in midfield can work. The attacking trio were superb as well, Payet was untouchable and credit to Sam Byram who carried on despite obvious pain and had an incredibly solid debut.
Player Ratings:
Adrian – 6 – Didn’t make any saves of note and had no chance with the two Aguero finishes.
Carl Jenkinson – 4 – 11 minutes on the field, and a clumsy challenge to halt our momentum.
James Collins – 7 – Not quite his imperious form of late, but was solid in the air and made some vital blocks. Wasn’t at fault for either goal.
Winston Reid – 7 – Great to see him starting even if that meant Ogbonna had to be dropped. Was a real leader at the back, and did well on his return.
Aaron Cresswell – 7 – Unfortunate for the second goal, but should have cleared the ball rather than attempt to control it. Dealt with Navas well and pushed forward well throughout.
Mark Noble – 8 – His best performance for a while. Noble was his usual feisty self and got booked, but worked so hard and dominated the midfield with Song and Kouyate. Linked with Payet well down the right and provided some useful crosses.
Alex Song – 8 – Also one of his best performances of the season. Song shielded the defence so well, he looks so comfortable in possession and not afraid to come forward with the ball.
Cheikhou Kouyate – 7 – Great work for the opener and nearly scored a late winner. His driving runs caused Toure in particular all kinds of problems.
Michail Antonio – 8 – Great inventiveness for the second goal. Could have had one himself with a header from Noble’s cross, and worked so hard in defence and attack. Really starting to look the part.
Enner Valencia – 8 – Two goals for Valencia, two great finishes for Valencia. Full of running, and took his chances in typical Enner style. Showed strength and pace in abundance.
Dimitri Payet – 9 – MOTM. Payet is on another level. Oozes class, makes the game look simple. At times it looks like he’s playing against kids, so unlucky with his free kick that Hart kept out but is a joy to watch.
Substitutes:
Sam Byram (12) – 8 – Didn’t look out of place after being thrown on after 12 minutes. Great debut performance. Looked in serious pain but battled on. Dealt with De Bruyne and Sterling without getting beaten.
Victor Moses (62) – 6 – Looked a little bit off the pace, but used the ball well when he got it.
Nikica Jelavic (86) -6 – Caused a few problems late on, decent cameo performance.
