Manchester City 3 West Ham 1: Raheem Sterling’s brace and Fernandinho’s goal send Pep Guardiola’s side top despite Michail Antonio header

MANCHESTER CITY went top of the Premier League table with a win over struggling West Ham but they could have lost Sergio Aguero for the massive upcoming derby with Manchester United in the process.

Raheem Sterling and Fernandino gave Pep Guardiola's men a comfortable lead inside 18 minutes, before Michail Antonio pulled one back for the Hammers who were fuming when Aguero got away with catching Winston Reid with his arm late on, before Sterling struck again.

10

10

10

Sterling continued his dramatic revival under Pep Guardiola by firing in the opener after just seven minutes, which took the former Liverpool man to one goal and three assists in his four games under the swarve Spaniard.

And Brazilian Fernandinho doubled the deficit 11 minutes later when he nodded in Kevin De Bruyne’s inch-perfect free-kick.

But Guardiola was left fuming after Antonio sneaked in at the back post and headed home a deep cross from Arthur Masuaku. And the visitors had a moan of their own when Reid took a flailing arm to the face before Sterling tapped in.

STATS, FACTS, GOALS AND LOLS:

• Manchester City pride themselves on their catering yet the Maine Road chippy across the road still thankfully does a roaring trade.
• Talking of which the food for the media here is second to none leaving most of the press wanting a kip before kick-off.
• Joe Hart shouldn’t feel too down about having the action picture of him in action taken down from outside the Etihad as it is all to do with rebranding. However, the club still can’t explain why there is not one image of Roberto Mancini anywhere inside or out at The Etihad.

10

10

10

• The people with the plum seats in this ground are sat just above the tunnel and behind the two dug outs. Not next season they are booted out those places to make way for a corporate area and a glass tunnel  so the big spenders can watch the players line up while they sip their champers.
• Away fans must love coming to The Etihad. The extension behind one end affords them seats over three tiers with great views. All adds to the atmosphere too.
• Joe Hart warmed up with Willy Caballero before the game and there certainly didn’t appear to be any problems with his passing, long or short range. Pigs do fly.
• The banner ‘Manchester Thanks you Sheikh Mansour’ is up every game here.  The owner has still only ever attended one game.

10

10

10

• Poor Slaven Bilic looks in real pain when he stalks around the technical area with this hip problem he has.
• Having the City women’s team play at the training ground stadium before yesterday’s kick off is a good idea with 1,900 watching the side win 2-0 against Reading before going over  to the main stadium for this game. City’s women lead the table by 13 points from Champions Chelsea who have three games in hand.
• The annoying talking sausage dog from those life insurance adverts now also trots around the digital boards at The Etihad, annoyingly.

THE BIG PICTURE:

10

RELATED STORIES:

Pep talks

Pep Guardiola says making players feel loved is secret to success - despite messy break-up with Joe Hart

STONES DIG AT MOURINHO

John Stones says failed Chelsea move was a blessing as he's now playing for Pep Guardiola

City slicker

Sergio Aguero says he is better player than ever under new Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola

Herbie Four

West Ham have been told that Andre Ayew can be fit in just two weeks... if he takes a herbal remedy back in Ghana

SOCIAL SAYS:

WHAT THEY SAID: 

Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling: "We have players that get into pockets and good with one-twos.

"We had good build-up and I got in a good position for the first goal.

"For the second, if I did not pass and it hit the post, I would have got caned by my team-mates for it. I thought shooting was the better option.

"Reborn? I keep seeing that word. It was a difficult first season at a new club but the manager Pep Guardiola has come in and given me a lot of courage and authority to go forward.

"He even had go at me for not dibbling as much."

Man City manager Pep Guardiola: " When you see how many chances we create, they scored with their first chance. You have to win 3-0 or 4-0 to think the game is over.

"They played long balls, we had our full-backs and won the second balls. They jumped more than us but we played a good game. Our fans enjoyed it and we are happy.

"They scored a goal in the only way we could concede, by crossing. They are taller than us and play in that style. At 2-1, the emotions, not the tactics, went in.

"Then we created many chances, I don't know how many shots we had but the performance in general was real good with or without the ball. with the quality of our players, we can be satisfied.

"I did not see the Sergio Aguero incident. We will see."

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic said: "We stayed in the game. I wasn't happy at half time, I asked the guys to show character and spirit and a different mentality which they did. Praise for the team for the second half performance.

"A few will be back after the international break. It should be Lanzini and then Payet. That will of course change the shape of the team and the quality of the team.

" "I did not see the Sergio Aguero incident. We were going to change the centre-half anyway to go four at the back. Winston Reid got a little injured so we took him off."

DREAM TEAM RATINGS

Man City: Caballero 6, Clichy 7, Stones 6, Otamendi 7, Zabaleta 6, Fernandinho 7, De Bruyne 8, Silva 7, Nolito 7, Sterling 9, Aguero 7

Subs: Kolarov 6, Nasri 6, Fernando 6

Booked: Fernandinho

West Ham: Adrian 6, Collins 6, Reid 7, Ogbonna 6, Masuaku 8, Noble 5, Kouyate 6, Antonio 7, Valencia 6, Tore 6, Fletcher 5

Subs: Lanzini 6, Byram 6, Calleri 6

Booked: Masuaku, Noble, Fletcher

STAR MAN: Raheem Sterling