Manchester City scored their 100th Premier League goal of the season during a 4-1 victory over a West Ham side that can be described by only one word – calamitous.
Pep Guardiola’s side remain on the hunt for further top flight records, and if they continue to perform like they did today for the remaining few matches of the campaign, City should break the record points total of 95 with ease.
Leroy Sane opened the scoring in a rather fortuitous manner; a hopeful shot which appeared a comfortable save took a deflection off Patrice Evra and nestled in the far corner of West Ham’s goal with Adrian rooted to the spot.
City’s second goal was similarly fortuitous, as Zabaleta put past his own goalkeeper after Adrian punched Kevin De Bruyne’s cross onto the experienced defender.
Considering the nature of both goals, fate and fortune appeared to be against the hosts, and that further seemd to be the case towards the end of the opening period. The Hammers got with the pace of the game and put some real pressure on City, but Marko Arnautovic had a goal ruled out as he was adjudged to have fouled Ederson, the visitors’ keeper.
And a few moments later, West Ham were denied a penalty when Ilkay Gundogan fouled Edimilson Fernandes just inside the area.
But the poor officiating did not matter, as Aaron Cresswell stepped up to the free-kick that was awarded instead of the spot kick, and he brilliantly curled it past Ederson to pull a goal back.
The fight-back did not continue after the break, as Gabriel Jesus restored City’s two-goal lead before Fernandinho extended it. City were at a stroll by this point, and they eased themselves thtough the final 35 minutes of the match to a 30th league win of the season.
STAR MAN
Raheem Sterling was a livewire in the final third, and he assisted three goals in a Premier League match for the first time in his career.
The 23-year-old has been one of the stars of the season, and though his shooting was slightly wayward at the London Stadium, he is not fading as the campaign draws to a close. This bodes well for England ahead of the summer’s World Cup.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
With just minutes to go before half-time, Manuel Lanzini was brought down by Nicolas Otamendi as he drove towards Man City’s goal. It was a definite foul, and perhaps a bookable offence.
However, Otamendi avoided a yellow card much to Pep Guardiola’s delight, as the centre-half had already been booked. If he was cautioned a second time, he would have been sent off, and City would have had to play the entire second half with only 10 men. This could have changed the entire outcome of the match, as West Ham were in the ascendancy when Otamendi avoided his early bath.
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Source: Talksport