Football news - Manchester City edge West Ham to keep title race alive

Manchester City maintained pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool as Sergio Aguero’s penalty was enough to defeat a West Ham side who sat deep for much of the encounter.

From the outset, the ball rarely left City’s attacking third as the hosts dominated possession and the visitors absorbed the pressure. In the first four minutes, Pep Guardiola’s side created three big chances to open the scoring, as Kevin De Bruyne shot wide from distance, Riyad Mahrez pulled a shot over the bar and David Silva hit the post.

Mahrez enjoyed plenty of space on the left flank, and received a generous amount of service from his team-mates, but failed to take advantage of numerous opportunities. The Algerian was kept in check by 19-year-old full-back Ben Johnson, who impressed on his first-team debut, before being replaced by Raheem Sterling in the second half.

City, who were missing several key players, finally made the breakthrough on the hour mark, when substitute Bernardo Silva was felled in the box by Felipe Anderson and Johnson. It was not the strongest penalty claim, but referee Stuart Attwell gave it and Aguero converted.

The visitors threatened occasionally with crosses from Ryan Fredericks on the right, but it was a frustrating evening for captain Andy Carroll, who was mostly isolated from the action.

The win kept City within one point of Liverpool, who managed a more convincing win against Watford.

Do City have the depth to keep challenging on three fronts? Sterling was rested for the first half as Mahrez failed to convince on the left wing. However, Zinchenko, Gundogan and Kompany all deputised well for players who would normally take their respective roles. Grinding out a result like this amid an injury crisis speaks very well to the character of the squad.

David Silva. There was no outstanding player for City, but credit must be given Ilkay Gundogan’s shift in holding midfield and Bernardo Silva’s cameo. David Silva, who hit the post early on, was likely the best performer and was involved in many of the most dangerous attacking movements.

Manchester City: Ederson 7, Danilo 7, Kompany 7, Otamendi, 7 Zinchenko 7, Gundoga 7, Silva 7, Mahrez 6, De Bruyne, 7 Sane 6, Aguero 7. Subs: Sterling 7, Bernardo 7, Foden 6.

West Ham: Fabianski 7, Fredericks 7, Diop 7, Ogbonna 7, Johnson 7, Obiang 6, Rice 6, Nasri 6, Antonio 7, Anderson 6, Carroll 6. Subs: Zabaleta 6, Lanzini 6, Diangana 6.

4’ - CHANCE! De Bruyne puts the ball across the face of goal from the right and David Silva hits the post from a few yards out! That's three big chances in the opening minutes for City!

59’ - GOAL! City 1-0 West Ham. Aguero converts the spot kick low to Fabianski's left, sending the 'keeper the wrong way. The mood has lifted at the Etihad!