If anyone could challenge the great Manchester City, it might have been West Ham, a team in solid form making a surprise appearance at fourth place in the Premier League table. Yet, as the sides met at midday on the 27th of February, Pep Guardiola’s men continued their majestic form, winning their 20th consecutive game across all competitions.
City began the game typically, controlling possession for the first quarter, but it was West Ham who saw the first half-chance to score, as a deflected shot from Jesse Lingard was nodded back across goal by Tomáš Souček, requiring City goalkeeper Ederson to snatch the ball away from the lurking Michail Antonio. Then, on the half-hour mark, a magician of the game stole the show: Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne launched a stunning ball beyond the West Ham defence, allowing centre back Rúben Dias to thump a header past West Ham’s Darren Randolph and into the back of the net.
A goal up, City attacked with renewed vigour, but as the halftime approached, West Ham began the outplay the City pressure. Lingard whipped a cross into the City box for Antonio to scuff a shot onto the post, before firing a shot of his own straight at Ederson. Then, two minutes from halftime, Vladimír Coufal found space down the right and slid a ball into the City box. Lingard’s shot was heading wide, but Antonio, alert as ever, diverted it past Ederson from two years, levelling the scores.
The second half started much like the first, as City dominated possession from the off. Just before the hour mark came the first chance, as De Bruyne evaded the challenge of Issa Diop on the left and burst into the box, but missed Sergio Agüero with his cross. Ten minutes later, the tricky winger Riyad Mahrez found space on the left, pulling a cross back for John Stones to score his third of the season, putting City back in front.
City controlled possession for the remainder of the game, creating the odd half-chance through Mahrez and substitute Phil Foden, and not giving West Ham a sniff. But, with only one goal separating the teams, a late scare was inevitable. It came about as late a possible. With ninety-four minutes on the clock, Lingard floated a superb ball onto the head of Diop, who could only send his header wide of Ederson’s left hand post.
A defeat was enough to keep West Ham in fourth, keeping them in with a chance to play champions league football next season, while goals from both Manchester City’s centre halves brought them ever closer to the league title. A nil-nil draw between Chelsea and Manchester United on Sunday saw City extend their lead over second place United to an unassailable twelve points, while Chelsea came within one point of West Ham.
If City can maintain their imperious form, there can be little doubt who will be raising the Premier League trophy, but the battle for fourth place is only just heating up.
