Dodgy pen earns City narrow win

Manchester City 1 West Ham 0

In the end the Hammers, despite only 25 per cent of possession, were unlucky to go down to a disputed penalty after Bernardo Silva went down after being heavily breathed upon by Felipe Anderson. 

Pellegrini gave a surprise debut to playwright Ben Johnson, who performed well against the £60m Mahrez. Related to Ledley King and Paul Parker, Ben should certainly have some good defensive coaches. The game was deemed too much for thirty somethings Noble, Snodgrass, Zabaleta and Hernandez, while Arnautovic was off with a virus, leaving Andy Carroll up front as skipper.

It could have been the predicted pasting if Mahrez had scored early on and Silva hadn't hit the post, but it's certainly a change to write about an impressive West Ham defensive performance. The Irons could even have won it with their one chance when sub Lanzini crossed to Carroll, who got a good contact on the ball only to see Ederson pull off a fine reflex save.

There was never much doubt City would win after that penalty, as Fabianski had to make some fine saves, and ultimately this was more about keeping the Hammers' goal difference down. Still, it's an achievement to restrict City to one goal as in every other league game at home they've scored at least two. Let's hope the rotation benefits the side against Newcastle.