Snow points at Man City

Manchester City 2 West Ham 1

Rather annoyingly this wasn't on TV, so had to listen on Radio 5 instead. Moyes rested Bowen and brought in Masuaku, a move  criticised by some, but it's surely understandable that the gaffer might decide Jarrod needs a break with two home games in a week coming up.

West Ham started well, with Antonio turning Dias and crossing for Benrahma, who failed to control a good chance. Then Michail broke through on the other flank and was foiled by Ederson.

As the snow came down City's passing game kicked in. Walker shot wide, Mahrez had a goal correctly disallowed and then Laporte headed just past the post. City's opener came after Mahrez found too much space on the right and Gundogan stroked home his cross. The marking could certainly have been tighter. Ben Johnson had to make a great clearance off the line before the break as a blizzard ensued and the ball was making tracks in the deep snow.

It looked like the game might be postponed, but a great effort from the City's ground staff saw the pitch swept clear of snow during an extended interval. After that City continued to press with Fabianski having a fine game and Cresswell injuring his back as he collided with the post while clearing off the line.

Once Bowen came on the Irons did pose more of a threat with Rice testing Ederson with a long-range effort. It was sub Fernadinho who sealed the points though with a drive from the edge of the box late on, his first league goal in three years.

There was still time for Lanzini to score an incredible goal from the edge of the box with the last kick. A shame for Manuel that it didn't earn any points as it was every bit as good as his screamer at Tottenham. If he could do that more regularly then surely he'd get more games.

So it's two defeats in a row but not a time to panic. It should be remembered that this City side beat Paris St Germain in midweek and that we kept the game close. They are one of the richest clubs in the world while we only have one striker. What's more worrying is that Antonio has only scored one goal in seven league games and we want him back firing (though he did get two for Jamaica). We need to get a win against Brighton on Wednesday, a team that hasn't won in eight games, though they've drawn six, and then do something special against Chelsea.