Manchester City leave it late again as Silva completes 2-1 comeback win over West Ham
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Updated 03/12/2017 at 18:25 GMT
Etihad Stadium, Premier League - Manchester City 2 (Otamendi 57' Silva 83') West Ham 1 (Ogbonna 45')
David Silva of Manchester City celebrates scoring his sides second goal while Pablo Zabaleta of West Ham United looks dejected during the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Manchester,
Image credit: Getty Images
David Silva delivered Manchester City's latest late winner as Pep Guardiola’s men beat West Ham 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
City were looking to extend their lead over Manchester United at the top to eight points, while West Ham started in 19th.
David Moyes had to call up Declan Rice to central defence, and Eliaquim Mangala made his first league start for the home team in almost two years.
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West Ham's Michail Antonio and Angelo Ogbonna celebrate a goal against Manchester City
Image credit: Getty Images
The away side took a surprise lead just before half-time as Angelo Ogbonna leapt highest to head home Aaron Cresswell's cross, shocking City who had seen most of the ball for the first 45 minutes.
In the second half, Nicolas Otamendi equalised just before the hour mark by turning in a cross at the near post as West Ham started to tire.
City piled on the pressure and grabbed the win when Silva celebrated his new contract by turning home another brilliant pass from Kevin De Bruyne, giving Guardiola yet another late win.
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Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
It is their 13th successive victory, which equals the most in a single season, set by Chelsea last campaign and Arsenal in 2002.
TALKING POINT
City are running out of steam, but does it matter? They are relying on late goals to win games, and for much of the match they spluttered despite seeing the vast majority of the ball. However, they have proven that the individual quality of their players is more than enough to get by even the most defensive sides.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City): De Bruyne was again at the heart of everything that City tried in attack. His passing is the best in the league, if not the world, and with the amount of attackers making runs that City have, he has so many options to make use of.
PLAYER RATINGS
Man City: Ederson 7, Walker 6, Otamendi 7, Mangala 6, Danilo 7, Delph 5, De Bruyne 7, Silva 7, Sterling 6, Sane 6, Aguero 5. Subs: Bernardo 6, Jesus 6.
West Ham: Adrian 7, Zabaleta 6, Rice 6, Ogbonna 7, Cresswell 6, Fernandes 5, Kouyate 6, Obiang 5, Masuaku 6, Lanzini 6, Antonio 7. Subs: Arnautovic 7, Ayew 6.
KEY EVENTS
25' - SILVA SHOT - Masuaku is on hand to intercept a pass, pick out Antonio down the left, but he is tackled and City come back to attack. 500 passes later, Silva has room for a strike from the edge of the box, and his shot loops off Rice to the top corner. Adrian pulls off an excellent stop to push it away.
35' - LANZINI CHANCE - Lanzini is slipped in by Antonio being tackled by Silva, and he smashes a ball at the near post for Ederson to tip behind.
45' - GOAL! Manchester City 0-1 West Ham. Ogbonna scores - West Ham break down the right and Sakho wins a corner on the right. Cresswell swings it in after taking it short, and Ogbonna leaps to send a header past Ederson.
57' - GOAL! Manchester City 1-1 West Ham. Otamendi scores - De Bruyne curls an effort to the top corner with his free-kick. It goes out for a throw, Sterling plays in Jesus, who drives into the box and Otamendi slides in at the near post to equalise at the near post.
68' - ADRIAN SAVE - Sane uses his Giggs skills to slalom down the left of the box, and smashes a rising shot at goal that Adrian remembers to stand up for, and beats it away. David Seaman, take note.
83' - GOAL! Manchester City 2-1 West Ham. Silva scores - De Bruyne clips in a superb pass for Silva's run into the box. He sticks out a leg, it's a touch too heavy, but it still flies past Adrian and that's it, they have another three points at the death.
KEY STATS
City's 13-game winning run is the best run in the top flight, equal with Sunderland, Preston, Arsenal and Chelsea.
City's haul of 43 points from 15 games is a joint top-flight record, level with Tottenham in 1960-61 (converted to three points for a win).
West Ham’s total of 10 points from 15 games is their lowest ever in the Premier League, and lowest in the top-flight since 1976-77 (nine, converted to three for a win).
Man City have won 10 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, more than any other side.
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