Aguero on scoresheet as Blues stroll to victory
FA Premier League
Sunday 19 April 2015, 13.30 KO
City: Hart, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Mangala, Kolarov, Fernando, Toure, Lampard (Fernandinho 88), Navas, Silva (Nasri 75), Aguero (Dzeko 91)
Unused: Caballero, Sagna, Boyata, Pozo
Goals: Collins (o.g. 18), Aguero (36)
Booked: Silva, Navas
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Man of the match: Mangala
After a disappointing defeat in the Manchester derby, City looked to get their league campaign back on track against Sam Allardyce's West Ham United. It was a good chance for the Blues to put pressure on United, who were defeated at Stamford Bridge the previous day, and extend the gap on Liverpool, who.
For the second game in succession, Sergio Aguero was deployed as the lone striker, with Yaya Toure, Frank Lampard and Fernando forming a three in midfield to give City a solid base. This enabled David Silva to drift infield, and the mercural Spaniard was a constant threat.
City took the lead after 18 minutes, courtesy of a bizarre own goal from James Collins, who lobbed his own keeper from twenty yards with the help of the crossbar. City soon doubled their lead, with Sergio Aguero this time finding the net after good work from Jesus Navas. The finish wasn't as spectacular as Collins', but it was a well worked goal all the same, with the Argentine finishing coolly under the onrushing Adrian. The goal effectively killed off the game as a contest, and it seemed to be a case of how many City could score.
The second half was quite a flat affair, however, with City looking slightly lethargic. A lengthy stoppage whilst David Silva received treatment for a serious head injury didn't help matters, and the Blues created little after he was stretchered off the pitch. Kouyate was perhaps fortunate to only receive a yellow card for the incident.
As the full time whistle came, it signalled City's first clean sheet in three games, with Eliaquim Mangala again impressing at the heart of the defence. The Blues face a tough game against Aston Villa next weekend, and will be hoping the injry to Silva isn't as serious as first feared.