West Ham 1-3 Man City

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Manchester City served notice of their title ambitions by outclassing West Ham to move level on points with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

City took a deserved lead when the superb Yaya Toure fired past Robert Green from Gareth Barry's cut-back.

And they made it two at a subdued Upton Park as Yaya Toure's shot hit a post and went in off Green's back.

Substitute Adam Johnson rounded Green to seal the points before James Tomkins nodded a consolation late on.

The result sees big-spending City leapfrog Chelsea and Manchester United to join Arsenal on 32 points, although the Gunners' goal difference is superior by five.

Chelsea will go top if they win at Tottenham on Sunday, while Arsenal and United have the chance to take pole position when they meet at Old Trafford on Monday.

West Ham, by contrast, stay bottom of the league on 12 points with only two wins all season.

Their defeat at Sunderland last Sunday kept them at the foot of the table, but a run of five home games without defeat in all competitions provided cause for optimism ahead of this one.

And despite featuring four changes from the side beaten on Wearside, the Hammers looked lively and cohesive from the outset - snapping into tackles and breaking forward at pace.

Boss Avram Grant dropped Carlton Cole to the bench as Frederic Piquionne came in to partner Victor Obinna up front, and the Frenchman was ably supported by wingers Pablo Barrera and Junior Stanislas.

Yet it was City who carved out the best chance in the early stages and what a chance it was.

With captain Carlos Tevez ruled out of a return to his old club through suspension, City fans could be forgiven if they approach the match with trepidation.

The Argentine striker had accounted for 48% of his side's league goals this season - a higher proportion than at any other club.

But it was his replacement, the Brazilian forward Jo, who produced a fine run and low cross from the left to tee up Mario Balotelli in the fourth minute.

The in-form Italian ghosted in front of Matthew Upson at the near post, only to angle his first-time finish from close range wide of the far upright.

Seemingly unfazed by that close shave, West Ham went straight back on the front foot and Scott Parker volleyed wide before Stanislas curled a free-kick over and shot powerfully at Joe Hart after cutting in from the left.

However, City gradually began to exert an influence on proceedings - dominating possession and frustrating their opponents with a slick brand of pass-and-move football - and reward was forthcoming.

West Ham were warned of the threat post by Yaya Toure when he ran half the length of the pitch before shooting straight at Green - but the lesson was not heeded.

In the 30th minute, the Ivorian fed Gareth Barry on the left, got ahead of a dozing Jonathan Spector to meet the cut-back and rifle a first-time drive past Green from the edge of the penalty area.

It was a stunning finish and one which West Ham worked hard to bounce back from, Parker dragging a drive narrowly wide and Piquionne glancing a header over from Julien Faubert's cross.

City reached half-time fairly comfortably and the flat atmosphere at Upton Park did not exactly make for rousing opening to the second period.

Obinna drilled in a promising centre from the left that was gathered by Hart with Piquionne lurking, but a second City goal was looking more likely than a West Ham equaliser.

Yaya Toure stung Green's palms with another ranging run and fierce strike, while Mario Balotelli was squeezed out by Tomkins after being released by the former Barcelona man.

Balotelli was becoming increasingly irritated by his inability to make an impact and shortly after picking up a caution for dissent, he was withdrawn by boss Roberto Mancini.

The 20-year-old's petulance appeared to disrupt his team's rhythm and allowed the momentum to swing back into West Ham's hands.

Grant's men set about pressing with real intent a couple of defensive mix-ups and an unsuccessful penalty appeal for what looked like a handball by Yaya Toure gave the home fans renewed hope.

On came Kieran Dyer and Cole as Grant went all out attack and there was to be another goal - but it went the way of City.

Yaya Toure raced forward to collect Nigel de Jong's pass and waltzed past Tomkins to go one-on-one with Green. His shot came back of the post but ricocheted in off the goalkeeper's back to seal the points.

More to follow.

• Final Result
• 93:30 The final whistle goes and the game is over.
• Full Time
• 90:00+0:53 Free kick awarded for a foul by Pablo Zabaleta on Zavon Hines. Victor Obinna fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick, Adam Johnson gets a block in.
• 90:00+0:53 Booking Booking for Pablo Zabaleta for unsporting behaviour.
• 89:33 Carlton Cole concedes a free kick for a foul on Pablo Zabaleta. Free kick taken by Joe Hart.
• 88:10 Corner taken right-footed by Victor Obinna from the right by-line, assist by Victor Obinna.
• 88:10 GOAL - James Tomkins:West Ham 1 - 3 Man City James Tomkins finds the net with a headed goal from inside the box. West Ham 1-3 Man City.
• 86:44 Carlton Cole takes a shot. Save by Joe Hart.
• 85:56 Shot from just outside the area by Zavon Hines misses to the left of the target.
• 84:45 Nigel De Jong concedes a free kick for a foul on Zavon Hines. Direct free kick taken by Julien Faubert.
• 84:45 Substitution (Man City) makes a substitution, with James Milner coming on for David Silva.
• 84:45 Booking Nigel De Jong goes into the book.
• 81:52 The assistant referee signals for offside against Kieron Dyer. Joe Hart takes the free kick.
• 80:18 Assist on the goal came from David Silva.
• 80:18 GOAL - Adam Johnson:West Ham 0 - 3 Man City Adam Johnson scores a goal from close in low into the middle of the goal. West Ham 0-3 Man City.
• 79:17 Substitution Frederic Piquionne goes off and Zavon Hines comes on.
• 72:38 Gnegneri Toure Yaya has an effort at goal from inside the six-yard box that strikes the post.
• 72:29 Gnegneri Toure Yaya provided the assist for the goal.
• 72:29 GOAL - Robert Green:West Ham 0 - 2 Man City Robert Green puts the ball into his own net from 6 yards. West Ham 0-2 Man City.
• 71:14 Corner taken by David Silva played to the near post, clearance by Carlton Cole.
• 70:19 Substitution Carlton Cole comes on in place of Pablo Barrera.
• 69:24 Joao Alves Jo takes a shot. Blocked by James Tomkins. Corner taken by David Silva played to the near post, clearance by Victor Obinna.
• 68:28 Joao Alves Jo produces a right-footed shot from inside the area that clears the crossbar.
• 67:39 Jerome Boateng takes a shot. Robert Green makes a save.
• 66:40 Inswinging corner taken by Pablo Barrera from the left by-line, Nigel De Jong makes a clearance.
• 65:31 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Pablo Barrera by Pablo Zabaleta. Pablo Barrera crosses the ball in from the free kick, Joao Alves Jo manages to make a clearance.
• 64:23 Pablo Barrera takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.
• 64:23 Substitution Junior Stanislas goes off and Kieron Dyer comes on.
• 60:35 Unfair challenge on Victor Obinna by Gnegneri Toure Yaya results in a free kick. Matthew Upson takes the direct free kick.
• 60:35 Substitution Mario Balotelli leaves the field to be replaced by Adam Johnson.
• 58:48 Unfair challenge on Victor Obinna by David Silva results in a free kick. Free kick crossed by Victor Obinna, clearance made by Vincent Kompany.
• 58:48 Booking Booking for Mario Balotelli for dissent.
• 53:58 Shot from outside the box by Jonathan Spector misses to the left of the target.
• 52:59 Joao Alves Jo is caught offside. Robert Green takes the free kick.
• 52:16 Shot by Gnegneri Toure Yaya from 25 yards. Save made by Robert Green.
• 51:48 Pablo Barrera sends in a cross.
• 49:15 Handball decision goes against Mario Balotelli. Robert Green takes the free kick.
• 47:56 Outswinging corner taken left-footed by David Silva from the left by-line, James Tomkins makes a clearance.
• 46:21 Foul by Tal Ben-Haim on David Silva, free kick awarded. Joe Hart takes the direct free kick.
• 46:21 Booking Tal Ben-Haim is cautioned.
• 45:01 The referee starts the second half.
• Half Time
• 45:00+1:07 It is the end of the first-half.
• 44:03 Header on goal by Frederic Piquionne from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.
• 43:08 Gnegneri Toure Yaya gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Scott Parker. Direct free kick taken by Robert Green.
• 39:33 Free kick awarded for a foul by Joao Alves Jo on James Tomkins. Free kick taken by Robert Green.
• 37:59 Scott Parker has shot on goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
• 34:48 Unfair challenge on Pablo Barrera by Gareth Barry results in a free kick. Victor Obinna delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from right wing.
• 32:50 Inswinging corner taken by David Silva from the left by-line, Mario Balotelli takes a shot. Clearance made by Pablo Barrera.
• 31:29 Foul by Joao Alves Jo on Julien Faubert, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Robert Green.
• 29:09 Gareth Barry provided the assist for the goal.
• 29:09 GOAL - Gnegneri Toure Yaya:West Ham 0 - 1 Man City Gnegneri Toure Yaya gets on the score sheet with a goal from deep inside the penalty box high into the middle of the goal. West Ham 0-1 Man City.
• 28:11 Effort from outside the penalty box by Pablo Barrera goes wide left of the goal.
• Correction - 26:49 Gnegneri Toure Yaya takes a shot. Save made by Robert Green.
• 26:49 Mario Balotelli takes a shot. Robert Green makes a save.
• 24:00 Jerome Boateng takes a shot. Blocked by Scott Parker.
• 23:30 Corner taken left-footed by David Silva.
• 22:41 Pablo Barrera challenges David Silva unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by David Silva.
• 22:25 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jerome Boateng by Victor Obinna. Direct free kick taken by Nigel De Jong.
• 21:53 Junior Stanislas takes a shot. Save by Joe Hart.
• 20:05 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Joao Alves Jo by Junior Stanislas. Nigel De Jong restarts play with the free kick.
• 18:36 Unfair challenge on Pablo Zabaleta by Pablo Barrera results in a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by David Silva from left wing, Frederic Piquionne makes a clearance.
• 17:32 Junior Stanislas gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kolo Toure. Nigel De Jong takes the free kick.
• 13:50 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James Tomkins by Mario Balotelli. Direct free kick taken by Robert Green.
• 12:34 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Frederic Piquionne by Nigel De Jong. Shot comes in from Junior Stanislas from the free kick.
• 11:57 Victor Obinna takes a shot. Kolo Toure gets a block in.
• 10:41 Foul by Julien Faubert on Joao Alves Jo, free kick awarded. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Mario Balotelli from left wing.
• 9:41 Shot from outside the area by Scott Parker misses to the left of the goal.
• 9:26 Scott Parker fouled by Mario Balotelli, the ref awards a free kick. Scott Parker takes the direct free kick.
• 9:02 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jonathan Spector by Mario Balotelli. Tal Ben-Haim restarts play with the free kick.
• 7:00 Victor Obinna concedes a free kick for a foul on Nigel De Jong. Jerome Boateng takes the free kick.
• 6:12 Joao Alves Jo takes a short corner.
• 4:16 Unfair challenge on Gnegneri Toure Yaya by Scott Parker results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Jerome Boateng.
• 3:18 Mario Balotelli has an effort at goal from close in which goes wide left of the goal.
• Correction - 1:55 Joao Alves Jo takes a shot. Robert Green makes a save.
• 1:55 David Silva takes a shot. Robert Green makes a save.
• 0:00 The referee gets the game started.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association.






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