Fighting Hammers go down to late Silva winner

Manchester City 2 West Ham1

It's off to the Stapleton Tavern with Matt and Lisa in the hope that it's a lucky pub, as I saw West Ham win at Man City at this very boozer back in 2015-16. We arrive anticipating a drubbing but the first half is a pleasant surprise. A down to the bare bones West Ham defend with character. The recalled Fernandes is having a decent game, Adrian looks solid and the Irons even threaten with the odd attack, Antonio firing over after Kouyate flicks on a corner and Lanzini shooting into the side-netting. Adrian makes an excellent save tipping over Silva's deflected shot. Incredibly we take the lead just before half time as a short corner is crossed by Cresswell and Ogbonna gets a run on Otamendi to steer home a header. 

We know City are going to come at West Ham in the second half so require more session IPA. Kouyate has gone off with what looks like yet another WHU muscle injury. Adrian distinguishes himself with several fine saves and you think it might be one of those great away days. But City are always patient and after one attack is repulsed the second phase sees a hard low cross bundled in by Otamendi. At 1-1 Antonio stings the palms of Ederson with a great shot from distance. It looks like the Hammers might hold on for a morale-boosting point until the 83rd minute. Declan Rice has had a really good game, but switches off for a second as he's caught between Aguero and Silva. De Bruyne's ball is expertly stroked home by Silva.

Antonio is kept on too long and limps off again, but then West Ham nearly equalise. Just as Matt is about to shout at sub Arnautovic, he does really well to outmuscle his full back and pull back a great cross for Sakho. If Diafra hits the target it's a goal but he fires past the post. 

So it's another loss and 13 wins on the spin for City. But some positives here. West Ham looked difficult to beat, Ogbonna had a much better game and the side looked more confident with Adrian in goal. Moyes will have learned a lot from this, but now we have to stop playing decently and losing and get some points, whoever the opposition.