Manchester City welcomed West Ham United to the Etihad on Sunday afternoon looking to make it three straight wins at the start of the new Premier League season.
Raheem Sterling sent the home side 1-0 ahead in the seventh minute of action, before Fernandinho added a second in the 18th minute during what was a dominant first half from Pep Guardiola's team.
West Ham were back in the match just before the hour when Michail Antonio headed home from close range, but Man City scored a third in second-half stoppage time when Sterling squeezed the ball past James Collins from inside the box.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City welcome West Ham United. Pep Guardiola has enjoyed an impressive start to life as Man City boss and the Spaniard will be looking to put another victory on the board this afternoon against a West Ham side that are still finding their feet this season. Let's hope for an entertaining game!
Both of these teams will enter this match off the back of European exploits during the week. Man City comfortably booked their spot in the group stages of the Champions League with a 1-0 victory over Steaua Bucuresti at the Etihad, which secured a 6-0 aggregate success. West Ham, meanwhile, lost 1-0 at home to Romanian club Astra in the second leg of their Europa League playoff to embarrassingly fail to make the group stages. There will be no European football at the Olympic Stadium this season.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news from Manchester. Who have Guardiola and Slaven Bilic placed their faith in this afternoon's match? Let's have a look...
TEAMS!
MAN CITY: Caballero; Zabaleta, Stones, Otamendi, Clichy; Fernandinho, Silva; Sterling, De Bruyne, Nolito: Aguero
WEST HAM: Adrian; Collins, Reid, Ogbonna; Antonio, Tore, Noble, Kouyate, Masuaku; Fletcher, Valencia
As expected, Man City boss Guardiola has rung the changes from the 1-0 win over Steaua Bucuresti during the week, with the likes of Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Nicolas Otamendi and Fernandinho all returning. Willy Caballero is again given the nod over Joe Hart between the sticks, while Raheem Sterling and Nolito will operate in the two wide midfield positions. Claudio Bravo joined from Barcelona towards the end of last week as Man City's new number one goalkeeper, but the Chilean is not involved here.
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As for West Ham, the big team news is that there is a full Premier League debut for Ashley Fletcher, who joined the Hammers on a free transfer in the summer. Fletcher will operate as part of a front two with Enner Valencia, while Mark Noble is fit to captain the side from midfield. The bench has a place for Manuel Lanzini, but Dimitri Payet is still not involved for the Hammers. New loan signing from Juventus Simone Zaza is also unavailable having not yet been registered for the Premier League.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just under 40 minutes from kickoff on this pleasant afternoon in Manchester. This match will be the 103rd meeting between Man City and West Ham in all competitions and it is the Citizens that lead the head-to-head 48 wins to the Hammers' 37. That said, West Ham have actually won two of their last four Premier League meetings.
Indeed, the Hammers recorded a 2-1 victory in the corresponding league match last season, while they have beaten Man City 2-1 and drawn 2-2 in their last two on home soil. Man City, though, have only lost one of their last 10 home Premier League meetings with West Ham – recording eight wins in the process.
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Man City, who finished fourth in the Premier League last season, opened their 2016-17 campaign with a 2-1 victory over Sunderland on August 13. It was far from convincing from Guardiola's side, but a late own goal from Paddy McNair ensured that the former champions would open with three points.
Guardiola's Champions League debut for Man City ended in 5-0 victory at Steaua Bucuresti on August 16 and as mentioned, the Premier League side completed the job on Wednesday as they recorded a 1-0 win on home soil. A much-changed XI took to the field and while it was far from impressive, Fabian Delph scored the early goal of the match at the Etihad. The Champions League group-stage draw has since been made and Man City will take on Barcelona, Celtic and Borussia Monchengladbach in Group C.
Man City then made it two wins from two Premier League games with an impressive 4-1 success at Stoke City last weekend in a match that saw Nolito and Aguero both score twice. Talking of Aguero, the Argentine just loves playing against West Ham – scoring six goals in his last seven league games with the Hammers. What's more, the centre-forward has scored 37 times in 47 Premier League games against teams from the English capital. This season, he has six goals in three games in all competitions.
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In terms of what is ahead for Man City, the Blues have the small matter of the Manchester derby away to Manchester United on September 10, before opening their Champions League group-stage campaign at home to Monchengladbach three days later. Guardiola's side will actually play six games in the month of September - taking on Swansea City in the League Cup third round and travelling to Celtic in the Champions League on September 28. They also have league games against Bournemouth and Swansea!
As for West Ham, it has been a mixed start to the new campaign. They actually played their first competitive match of the new season on July 28 and that ended in a 2-1 defeat to Domzale in the Europa League. A 3-0 success in the return saw Bilic's side advance to the next round, but there will be no more European football this season after they lost 1-0 to Astra in the second play of their playoff match on Thursday night. To be blunt, it was a very, very poor result for the Hammers. This is how the fans felt...
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In terms of the Premier League, the Hammers opened their 2016-17 season with a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea in a match that saw Diego Costa score a late winner. There was big controversy surrounding that clash, however, following a late Costa challenge on Adrien, which should have seen the Spaniard receive a red card. The late goal was tough on West Ham, but it was a disappointing performance from a team that showed huge signs of progress last season.
The pressure was on West Ham last weekend as they welcomed Bournemouth to the Olympic Stadium for their first home Premier League game at their new ground. In truth, it was a pretty dire affair, but a late header from Michael Antonio saw the hosts secure all the points. Interestingly, Antonio will seemingly operate in a wing-back role this afternoon in what is a 3-5-2 formation.
This man is not involved for West Ham today, but he will be available after the international break. Who remembers his sky-high penalty at Euro 2016? Seriously though, he's really good forward.
And of course don't forget to follow @WestHamUtd's new striker on Twitter @SimoneZaza ⚒ #WelcomeZaza pic.twitter.com/ucQC1TCujc
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) August 28, 2016
Only Leicester, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal had a better Premier League away record than West Ham last season, with the Hammers winning seven of their 19 matches and only losing five times in the process. They won at Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City and Everton and despite the odds favouring the home side this afternoon, the Hammers do have previous. Little under 10 minutes until kickoff at the Etihad.
West Ham have actually now scored in their last 15 Premier League matches, meanwhile, which represents their best ever run in the competition. They have lost Andy Carroll to another injury, but there are goals in the team and the onus this afternoon will fall on Valencia and Fletcher in the final third.
Slaven says @AshFletcher___ 'deserves his chance' to start at @ManCity. What do you think? ⚒ #MCYWHU pic.twitter.com/0FdMbOgrA2 — West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) August 28, 2016
Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. I suppose it is time for the football then. Let's hope for an entertaining match-up!
KICKOFF! West Ham kick things off at the Etihad...
... you just get the feeling that West Ham need to start well this afternoon if they are to stand a chance of securing a positive result. As expected, Man City are on the front foot in the early exchanges and Aguero forces the first corner of the match when he drags Collins into a wide position.
Otamendi meets the resulting corner from Silva, but his effort was never troubling Adrian. Are we going to see any penalties given for shirt-pulling this afternoon? There was some happening there!
CLOSE! Aguero wriggles away from Reid and looks to pick out the bottom corner with a low attempt, but his effort is just wide of the post. Man City very much on the front foot here.
CLOSE! Noble has his pocket picked in midfield and eventually Silva curls one towards the top corner from distance, but his effort swings away from the post. One-way traffic!
BOOKING! Fernandinho (Man City) is booked for a poor challenge on Valencia.
GOAL! Man City 1-0 West Ham (Sterling)
Man City make the breakthrough in the seventh minute of action as Silva picks out Nolito and the Spaniard delivers a low cross into Sterling, who side-foots the ball into the far corner of the net.
If West Ham do not settle in the next five minutes or so and another goal arrives, this game could be over, even at this point. Man City are so dominant that it is almost unbelievable at this level. Fletcher does manage to release a strike for the visitors, but his effort is deflected wide of the post.
Sterling seems to have been given a new lease of life this season and the Englishman again looks to break behind the West Ham defence, but Adrien is out to collect. The Hammers finally enjoy some possession in the period that follows and that is so important after Man City's excellent start.
BOOKING! Masuaku (West Ham) is booked for a lunge on De Bruyne.
Man City's two full-backs are so wide at the moment and West Ham's two wing-backs are not sure whether to follow midfield runners and remain in a wide area. Guardiola is issuing instructions from the sidelines and looks like he is directing a plane. Whatever he is doing, it seems to be working here.
West Ham are so, so deep at the moment. You cannot really blame them after what has happened in the opening 19 minutes, but they need to find a way of squeezing higher up the field at the Etihad.
GOAL! Man City 2-0 West Ham (Fernandinho)
It is goal number two for Man City as De Bruyne delivers a wonderful free kick into the West Ham box and Fernandinho is up above everyone to head into the back of the net. Game over? For me, yes.
Another half-chance for the home side as De Bruyne delivers a dangerous free kick towards the far post, but Aguero's effort just bundles wide of the post. West Ham are absolutely on the ropes.
When Bilic named a five-man defence this afternoon, he would have expected his two wing-backs to support the three centre-backs and indeed the front two. Neither has happened in the opening 23 minutes. Valencia and Fletcher simply cannot get in the match in the final third of the field.
It is too easy for Stones and Otamendi at the moment as the two Man City centre-backs are given time and space in possession of the ball. Still no threat from West Ham in any shape or form.
Man City have a free kick in a dangerous position as Antonio fells Nolito...
... CLOSE! De Bruyne just misses the top corner with a looping free kick.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and it is so, so comfortable for Man City. It is that comfortable that Guardiola could have a little snooze safe in the knowledge that his team would be just fine. This formation is just not working for West Ham, but they remain 3-5-2 at the Etihad.
Half-chance for the away side as Fletcher rises to meet a cross from the right, but his header was always moving wide of the post. Valencia was in plenty of space behind the young forward there.
Antonio breaks through for the Hammers and looks to have the pace to beat Otamendi, but the Argentine is across to make a fine challenge. The resulting corner sees Collins rise, but Caballero clears.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to score a third as a brilliant team move ends with Silva setting up De Bruyne, but the Belgian's effort is just deflected wide of the post. That had number three written all over it, but West Ham somehow survive another dangerous moment.
In fairness to West Ham, they are starting to see more of the ball in the latter stages of the first period and are at least carrying a threat in the final third. One goal back at this stage would make things very interesting indeed. As it stands, Guardiola's side have had 66% of the possession.
Not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, which is a surprise considering the type of first-half performance that Man City have put on. Far too good for West Ham here.
In terms of options for change, West Ham boss Bilic does not have a host of attacking options on his bench, but the brilliant Manuel Lanzini is one player that could make a difference. Still no Dimitri Payet though and his absence is massive for the Hammers. Andy Carroll also remains out of action.
Noble looks to get his team going as he bites into a couple of midfield challenges, but the Englishman is crowded out and the ball is recycled back to Caballero, who builds from the back.
Tore looks to break through for West Ham after a loose pass from Fernandinho, but Stones is in control and the home side manage to clear down-field. Still 2-0 to the hosts after 45 minutes.
Two additional minutes at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Man City 2-0 West Ham
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Man City leading West Ham 2-0 courtesy of goals from Raheem Sterling (7th min) and Fernandinho (18th min). In truth, the home side have been utterly dominant against a very underwhelming West Ham team at the Etihad.
STATISTICS! Man City have dominated the possession with 68%, while they hit the target with two of their 10 attempts and both of those found the back of the net. West Ham, meanwhile, have had five attempts but not yet managed to test Caballero. Two bookings so far - Fernandinho and Masuaku.
BENCH WATCH! Man City boss Guardiola has the likes of Delph, Kolarov, Navas, Ihenacho and Nasri on what is a very strong bench this afternoon. West Ham, meanwhile, have attacking options in the shape of Calleri, Lanzini and Obiang. Something has to change if the Hammers are to respond here.
pic.twitter.com/Qmhq9l4HWM — West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) August 28, 2016
RESTART! Man City resume the action at the Etihad...
... WEST HAM SUB! Bryam replaces Tore for West Ham.
Right, West Ham have to look at this second period as a one-off game of 45 minutes. Score the first goal and see what happens. If Man City score another though, it is very much game, set and match.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Nolito bundles the ball home from close range and it appears that Man City have scored a third, but the Spaniard was rightly flagged offside!
BOOKING! Fletcher (West Ham) is booked for a late challenge on Caballero.
It appears that Antonio and Valencia - not Antonio Valencia - are playing in the wide positions for West Ham at the moment, with Fletcher leading the line. Man City remain in control of this match, however, as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. The Hammers have to hold firm here.
BOOKING! Noble (West Ham) is booked for dissent.
CLOSE! Nolito looks to bend one towards the bottom corner after finding space outside the West Ham box, but his effort is into the side-netting. That looked to be the home side's third!
Aguero powers his way through the Man City defence before looking to curl one towards the far corner, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. West Ham are starting to threaten in the final third, but that is leaving all sorts of space for the likes of Sterling and Aguero down the other end.
At 2-0, West Ham will always be in this game, but a third for Man City and it would be curtains. Aguero breaks through into a one-on-one situation with Adrian, but the flag is once again raised.
GOAL! Man City 2-1 West Ham (Antonio)
Oh my word! Out of nothing! West Ham are back in this football match as Antonio rises at the far post to head a Masuaku cross into the back of the net. That is more like it from the Hammers!
MAN CITY SUB! Kolarov replaces Stones for the home team.
WEST HAM SUB! Lanzini replaces Valencia for the Hammers here.
Well, we have a game on our hands now. Man City are, as expected, still in control of the possession, but the visitors are very dangerous on the counter and force another corner here.
Still more than 25 minutes of football to play at the Etihad and it is no longer comfortable for Man City, when are still yet to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League. It is the away supporters that can be heard as they drive their team forward. What a comeback it would be for the Hammers.
CLOSE! Side netting for Aguero as the Argentine fires towards the top corner!
Not too much in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Man City have managed to regain control of the possession. You still get the feeling that there are more goals in this game.
The away supporters are very vocal at the Etihad as they drive their team forward, but they need to be very careful down the other end as Aguero and Sterling continue to threaten. West Ham still have one more available change, but there are not many more options on the bench for the visitors.
Plenty happening in the middle of the park at the moment as both teams battle for control of the possession. Still more than 15 minutes to play and the score remains 2-1 to Man City at the Etihad.
Kouyate is very fortunate to receive a free kick after attempting to dribble clear just outside his own box. A third for Man City would kill off the West Ham challenge, that is for sure!
MAN CITY SUB! Nasri replaces Nolito for the home side.
Poor from Aguero as the Argentine swings his elbow into the throat of Reid. If the referee sees that then the Argentine would have been sent off. Might be something for the FA to look at there!
WEST HAM SUB! Calleri replaces Reid for the away side.
Calling it early. Aguero to miss Manchester Derby after the elbow.#CallCollymore — Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) August 28, 2016
Little under 10 minutes of football remaining and Man City still lead West Ham 2-1. Not too much happening in terms of chances, but the home side are in control of the ball, for the moment.
Byram is forced to challenge Sterling in a wide position as the winger threatens to drive into the West Ham field. Sterling then pops up the opposite side and delivers a low cross into Nasri, but Collins is across to make the challenge. Nothing much from the visitors at the moment here.
SAVE! Adrian does well to keep out Nasri from close range and Byram clears under pressure at the far post. That would have been game, set and match at the Etihad.
West Ham have a free kick in a dangerous position...
... Lanzini delivers into Collins, but the centre-back was offside.
MAN CITY SUB! Fernando replaces Aguero for the home side.
Sterling goes wide of the post as Man City come close once again.
We are into the first minute of additional time - four have been issued.
West Ham need the ball back and they need it fast. Man City are happy in possession at the moment as they pass and probe in their own half of the field. Time for one more chance surely!
POST! Silva smashes the post from close range!
GOAL! Man City 3-1 West Ham (Sterling)
Man City have their third as Sterling rounds Adrian in a wide position before somehow threading the ball into the back of the net from close range. That is game, set and match this afternoon.
FULL-TIME: Man City 3-1 West Ham
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Man City recording a 3-1 victory over West Ham to move to the top of the Premier League. That is just about it from me, but be sure to stick around for the match report, which will be live in the next couple of minutes. Until next time!
