Man City 2 West Ham 0

Harewood started for West Ham in place of Tevez. Dailly was picked at right back and Bowyer started on the bench.

In a fairly even first half City created the better chances. Their best chance came after Etherington lost the ball about 35 yards out to Richards, who then ran unopposed into the West Ham area. He squared the ball for Corradi 2 yards out but Konchesky just managed to get across to block the shot. A few minutes before that Samaras had fired a low cross/shot from the right touch line that Carroll just managed to divert wide. From the resulting corner, Miller rose unchallenged but the ball hit his shoulder and deflected wide.

For West Ham Harewood was nearly put through by Reo-Coker but the City defence just managed to beat him to the ball. West Ham's only other real chance came from a Zamorra headed flick back from the right hand post, but none of the West Ham midfield had gambled with a run into the box. Konchesky and Mascherano also both had long range shots, both of which flew high and wide. In the 22nd minute Ferdinand seemed to pick up a hamstring injury and Mullins replaced him.

The second half belonged to City. They got their first after five minutes after a good run from Miller on the left wing was blocked and the ball fell to Samaras to score from the edge of the box. Samaras got his second in the 62nd minute when he was put clean through. Carroll rushed out to meet him but the forward cooly chipped it over the out-rushing keeper.

I can't remember West Ham troubling the City keeper in the whole game. We look like a side bereft of ideas at the moment. Hopefully Paintsil will be back soon and Ferdinand hasn't picked up a long term injury.