More hard times at the Etihad

Manchester City 4 West Ham 1 

We're at the Dickens Museum in Doughty Street while this is played, without any Great Expectations of a result and fearing more Hard Times. It's been A Tale of Two Cities for Pep Guardiola this season, but West Ham are currently a good side to regain your confidence against. 

At least a forward line with Summerville on the left, Fullkrug in the middle and Kudus on the right looks better balanced. Watching the highlights on Match of the Day West Ham have two great early chances. A neat back heel from Fullkrug frees Summerville who plays in Kudus for a sight of goal. His first touch is slightly heavy and Mo ends up hitting the side netting instead of scoring. Next a neat passing move sees Kudus cross for Soucek to scuff a great chance.

It all goes wrong after ten minutes though as Savinho's cross takes a rather lucky deflection off Vladimir Coufal into Areola's net. West Ham still have their chances at 1-0 down. Summerville tackles a dawdling Akanji and would be clear, only for the ref to spot a mystery foul. Kudus has another good break but shoots rather than passes, while Areola has to save well from Rico Lewis.

But as ever the Irons concede at a bad time, just before the break. Savinhio bamboozles Coufal and his fine cross sees Areola race into no-man's land and the ball go over his head to Haaland for a simple headed goal.

Todibo goes off injured to be replaced by the Greek Bloke and West Ham are 3-0 down soon after the break. Savinho is given too much space to play in Our Mutual Friend Erling Haaland, who slaloms past Kilman and scores with a brilliant chipped finish over Areola. It's 4-0 after 58 minutes. The Irons try to play it out from the back and Kudus's loose ball to Alvarez is gathered by De Bruyne, who sets up Foden for an easy goal. 

At least the Irons keep going. We pull one back when Soucek's low cross is turned in by the left foot of Fullkrug. The big German then chests the ball to Summerville only for Crysencio to slip as he volleys. Late on Paqueta's snap shot grazes the post. 

Looking at the stats West Ham have had 17 shots to City's ten but still ended up losing 4-1. There's been some signs of promise, such as the influence of Fullkrug and the times we got behind the City defence, but the defence has still looked porous and the bottom line is Lopetegui isn't winning matches. It's a Bleak House at the moment and we can't even call on A Christmas Carroll as he's in France. We really need to get a result in the FA Cup at Villa to save the season as Loppy is left hoping in Micawber-esque style that something will turn up.