EPL 2024: West Ham United (1) vs Manchester City (3) In - Depth Game Analysis

Match Overview

The atmosphere in the Etihad was electric, filled with passionate fans and a palpable sense of expectation. Manchester City, managed by the ever-strategic Pep Guardiola, fielded a formidable lineup that included the prolific Erling Haaland, who had already made headlines this season with his scoring prowess. West Ham United, under the astute management of David Moyes, arrived with a solid plan, hoping to execute their counter-attacking strategy effectively. From the first whistle, it was clear that City intended to dominate possession, a hallmark of Guardiola's philosophy. They quickly settled into their rhythm, with Kevin De Bruyne orchestrating play from midfield, threading passes that sliced through West Ham’s defense. Conversely, West Ham adopted a compact formation, looking to absorb pressure and hit on the break, relying on the speed and creativity of their forwards.

Key Moments and Turning Points

The match's opening goal arrived in the 15th minute, a moment of brilliance from Haaland. A well-timed cross from Phil Foden found him at the edge of the six-yard box, where he exhibited his predatory instincts to slot the ball home. This early goal invigorated City, who began to assert their dominance further, pushing West Ham back into their half. However, West Ham did not crumble. They rallied, with Lucas Paquetá emerging as a key figure, linking play effectively and creating opportunities. Their resilience paid off when they nearly equalized in the 30th minute, but City’s goalkeeper, Ederson, made a stunning save to deny Bowen’s curling effort. A pivotal moment occurred just before halftime when Ruben Dias received a yellow card for a clumsy challenge. This development added pressure on the City defense, and it seemed to inject a renewed sense of purpose into West Ham, who increased their attacking intent.

Player Performances

1. Erling Haaland's Hat-Trick Heroics

Haaland was the undeniable star of the match, finishing with an impressive hat trick. His second goal came shortly after the break, a well-placed header from a corner that demonstrated his aerial prowess. The third goal, a thunderous shot from outside the box, showcased not only his finishing ability but his growing confidence as the season progresses. Each goal was a reminder of why he is regarded as one of the best strikers in the world, and his performance instilled fear in opposing defenses.

2. West Ham's Standout Players

Despite the defeat, West Ham had several players who shone under pressure. Alphonse Areola, their goalkeeper, made a series of crucial saves, particularly in the first half, keeping the scoreline manageable. Additionally, Jarrod Bowen was a constant threat on the right flank, showcasing his speed and skill. His ability to create chances and stretch City’s defense was commendable, and he was involved in some of West Ham's most promising attacks.

Tactical Analysis

Guardiola's tactical mastery was evident throughout the match. City employed a possession-based approach, utilizing quick, short passes to draw West Ham out of their defensive shape. The full-backs, Joao Cancelo and Oleksandr Zinchenko, played an integral role in providing width, making overlapping runs that stretched the Hammers’ defense. Moyes, on the other hand, set up his team to be resolute defensively, looking to catch City on the counter. However, as the match wore on, West Ham struggled to maintain their shape, especially after conceding the first goal. Their attempts to press City higher up the pitch led to gaps that City exploited with their quick transitions.

Key Statistics

• Shots: West Ham 10 - 23 Manchester City
• Shots on Target: West Ham 2 - 8 Manchester City
• Possession: West Ham 31% - 69% Manchester City
• Passes: West Ham 325 - 716 Manchester City
• Pass Accuracy: West Ham 83% - 92% Manchester City
• Fouls: West Ham 10 - 3 Manchester City
• Yellow Cards: West Ham 3 - 2 Manchester City
• Red Cards: West Ham 0 - 0 Manchester City
• Offsides: West Ham 0 - 1 Manchester City
• Corners: West Ham 3 - 11 Manchester City

Starting Lineups

West Ham United XI

Goalkeeper: Alphonse Areola (substituted by Lukasz Fabianski at 46')

Defenders:

Emerson Palmieri (substituted by Vladimir Coufal at 71')

Max Kilman

Konstantinos Mavropanos

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Midfielders:

Edson Alvarez (substituted by Tomas Soucek at 77')

Guido Rodriguez

Mohammed Kudus

Jarrod Bowen (substituted by Crysencio Summerville at 86')

Lucas Paqueta

Forward: Michail Antonio (substituted by Niclas Fullkrug at 71')

Manager: Julen Lopetegui

Manchester City XI

Goalkeeper: Ederson

Defenders:

Josko Gvardiol (substituted by Nathan Ake at 88')

Rúben Dias

Manuel Akanji

Midfielders:

Mateo Kovacic

Rico Lewis

Jack Grealish (substituted by Matheus Nunes at 72')

Kevin De Bruyne (substituted by Nathan Ake at 88')

Bernardo Silva

Jeremy Doku (substituted by Ilkay Gundogan at 68')

Forward: Erling Haaland

Manager: Pep Guardiola

English Premier League Table 2024-25