City Suffer Hammer Blow

Manchester City have not got up to full speed yet this season; and this was apparent again as they again failed to get full points in a fascinating 1-1 draw at West Ham United. The Hammers; fast improving under David Moyes; are gaining headlights after their stirring; Manuel Lanzini-inspired 3-3 draw at Tottenham Hotspur recently; and again today they managed to grab the limelight.

Michail Antonio's rise to greatness has been nothing short of stunning; from right-back he has progressed to wing-back; then right attacking midfield and finally as the main striker himself. And he epitomised that climb with a stunning first-half opener that left all speechless and leaving Josep Guardiola with that familiar perplexed look.

The world seemed to stand still as Tomas Soucek proceeded to track down the errant ball; before the impressive Vladimir Coufal's cross was whacked in acrobatically by the Hammer forward; with record-signing Ruben Diaz kena pinned hopelessly behind.

City needed a shot of adrenaline; and that was what they got with the introduction of sublime youngster Phil Foden. He made an almost instant impact; firing in unerringly at the near post after good work down the left from the impressive Joao Cancelo.

The tide had turned; but while City proceeded to dominate both possession and the chances; they were unable to find a way past the Hammers' inspired 'keeper Lukasz Fabianski. In the end; even a horrendous back-passs from Andriy Yarmolenko couldn't be taken advantage of; and Fabianski denied Riyad Mahrez off the post right at the death.