West Ham 1 0 Man City

West Ham 1 0 Man City

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Result: West Ham 1 0 Man CityA thoroughly abysmal, depre sing, deflating and yet more worryingly, fully expected, defeat at the hands of a resurgent West Ham side extended Man Citys horrendous run of away results, which has seenthem record just a solitary win on the road, and lose to sides such as West Brom, Stoke, Bolton, Portsmouth and and Middlesbrough, to name but a few. A second-half Jack Collison goal settled this underwhelming contest, although the home side were generally good for the money, recording a justified and well-deserved victory.Team NewsBlues bo s Mark Hughes, as expected, made just the one change from the side which started against FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Cup, reverting to the starting eleven that performed admirably away to Liverpool. On the bench, there was a place for the legend, or should that be mystery, that is Berti, alongside the returning Valeri Bojinov. The sight of the Bulgarian, named in the squad for the first time this season following succe sive long-term injuries, was mightily uplifting and it is hoped that the striker can regain match fitne s and propel the Blues into Europe (well, we can all dream ).West Ham, dealt a hammer blow (sorry, I couldnt help it), by the suspension of industrious midfielder Mark Noble, handed a rare start to Czech international and Jonathan Woodgate look-a-like, Radoslav Kovac. Young defender James Tomkins replaced the injured James Collins as the home side looked for the win that would push them into the top seven.Jonathan Woodgate sorry, Radoslav KovacCity Line-Up GivenRichards Dunne Onuoha Bridge Kompanyde Jong ZabaletaIrelandRobinhoBellamySubs: Hart, Garrido, BERTI, Elano, Va sell, Caicedo, BojinovReportThe home supporters afforded former Hammer Craig Bellamy a hostile reception, but a languid start to the match set the Rodney Harrison Jersey tone for the rest of the encounter as both sides failed to display any urgency on the ball. Po se sion was evenly distributed but neither side was able to cause problems for the other. The Welsh striker, seemingly spurned on by the vitriol he was receiving, created an early opportunity for the Blues, by way of a corner, that was unsurprisingly cleared with ease. City must be the worlds worst team at scoring goals from corners, with every set-piece either hitting the front man or being whacked way over the heads of our attackers. I can only remember one goal from a corner, a Nedum Onuoha header against Tottenham last year, in recent memory; a rather bizarre fact, considering Richard I Like Food Dunne scores umpteen goals for the opposition following their set-plays.The first real moment of interest came after fifteen minutes when Robinho had a deft back-heel saved by Robert Green when the Brazilian should have scored. The Premier Leagues most expensive, and at time most frustrating, player should have done better, but he thought he was offside, so failed to hit the ball with any menace. Just a minute later, however, Mark Hughes best plans were laid bare, as Micah Richards had to be carried off injured, the result of a heavy Scott Parker challenge. Thisprompted a succe sion of changes for the Blues, both personnel and position-wise. Ecuadorian battering-ram Felipe Caicedo replaced Chav, a move which nece sitated a different formation for the visitors. Pablo Zabaleta swapped to his right-back role, while Bellamy now played up-top, partnered by Caicedo.Carlton Four Arms Cole was handled well by Richard DunneBellamy was looking sharp and created another opportunity moments later when he cut inside Lucas Neill on the left and delivered a dangerous cro s that eluded Caicedo, only to fall at the feet of the mercurial Robinho. From a distance of two yards, and with no defenders near the Brazilian, the away supporters were waiting to see the net bulge, to put City in the lead. Alas no! Robinho contrived to put the effort wide, a chance which even Darius Va sell would have buried with aplomb, leaving City ruing another mi sed gilt-edged opportunity.West Ham were coming more into the game at this point, and diminutive Italian striker David Di Michele saw a couple of efforts saved by Shay Given. A sickening injury to Hammers midfielder Valon Behrami caused play to be held Garrett Gilbert Jersey up for about six minutes, as the Swi s international seemed to catch his studs in the ground as he tried to tackle Wayne Bridge. The injury looked horrendous, with oxygen being supplied, but the most recent prognosis declares that there has been no break, so Behrami can be considered fortunate. No-one likes to see players getting major injuries that keep them out for a while, unle s that player is Cristiano Ronaldo.Half-time came and went and the second period of 45 minutes begun just as lackadaisically as the first. The game was scrappy with both sides failing to produce any noteworthy moments. Elano replaced the injured Bellamy just after the hour mark, with the Welshman receiving some not-so-friendly abuse from the stands, although a very pleasant hi-five with former manager Zola.City hearts were broken after 70 minutes, however, when follwingsubstitute Savio Nserekos swerving shot, Given could only parry the ball out to young midfielder Jack Collison who calmly lifted the ball over the goalkeeper to give the home side a valuable lead.Given is beaten for the goal, despite his despairing diveFelipe Caicedo then proceeded to waste more chances for the Blues, smashing wide from inside the area on both occasions. Elano saw his majestic free-kick cleared offthe line by Lucas Neill as City applied the pre sure.Valeri Bojinov replaced Nifty Nige de Jong as Hughes tried in vain to search for an equaliser, but the Hammers were equal to the challenge and closed out the game with relative comfort.Key BattlesLucas Neill v RobinhoWhat a surprise! Yet another underwhelming away performance from Robinho. He mi sed two glorious first-half chances and contributed approximately nothing to the team. Neill played well, nullifying the threat from Citys left, and then clearing well from Elanoslate free-kick. Winner = NeillScott Parker v Pablo ZabaletaThis was all set to be an intriguing battle until Micah Richards injury forced Zabaleta into the back four, and then these two enforcers were never in direct competition. No WinnerCarlton Cole v Nedum Onuoha A Ty Montgomery Jersey battle for the purists, with both players happy to be physical. Onuoha and Richard Dunne both had superb games,whilst Cole caused some problems throughout the match = No WinnerBulgarian striker Valeri Bojinov made a welcome returnPlayer RatingsGiven Didnt have much to do overall, but handling and kicking were fine. Could he have done better with the goal? 7Richards Not a long time to be judged as he went off injured early in the first-half 6Dunne Citys best player. Has returned after suspension looking very refreshed, and coped with nearly all the Hammers could throw at him 8Onuoha Like Dunne, handled Cole and Di Michele well. Good in the air but needs to work on his distribution 7.5Bridge An improvement of recent performances. Looked solid at the back and added impetus to the attack with his forward forays 7Kompany Playing through the pain barrier with his toe injury, but competes manfully 6.5de Jong Pa sing was sometimes stray but fought well in the heat of the battle 6.5Zabaleta Started in defensive midfield but moved to right-back when Richards wasreplaced. Looked solid and got forward well 7Ireland Stuck out ofposition and failed to get in the game 5Robinho Yet another away game wherehe has le send resultthan Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch combined on Valentines Day 4Bellamy Was full of running, energy and commitment against former club, but lackedan end product. Will be sorelymi sed for three weeks, as he is out injured 7.5Subs:Caicedo Came on for Richards early in the game and gave the Blues a physical presence up front. Mi sed two fairly simple chances 6Man of the Match: Richard Dunne
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