West Ham 1 Man City 0

Despite dominating possession in the first half West Ham were probably lucky not to go into the break two goals down again. Robinho had two golden opportunities to score for City.

In the 14th minute Robinho was left completely unmarked 7 yards from goal but his flicked shot was gloriously saved by Green. In the 21st minute Robinho missed another sitter when a cross found him on the far post but from 5 yards out he put it wide.

West Ham were not so lucky when it came to injuries. In the 37th minute Behrami went in for a tackle and caught his foot in the turf and seemed to twist his knee. Behrami looked in serious pain and was given oxygen before being stretchered off. He was replaced by Savio.

West Ham had a number of shooting chances but, as we have come to expect in recent weeks, the shots were either high and wide or hit tamely at Given in goal.


In the second half it was all one way traffic for West Ham. Before the 70th minute City managed one shot on goal in the half and that was a wild effort from a 35 yard free-kick by Robinho. In the 49th minute Richard Dunne flew into a tackle with his studs showing and took away both Cole's legs from under him in the penalty area, only for the referee to completely ignore it.

However West Ham got justice in the 70th minute when Savio cut in from the left wing and shot from the edge of the area. His shot was punched out by Given to Collison who then chipped the ball into the back of the net from ten yards.

After West Ham's goal City started to attack and in the next six minutes Robinho, Company and Caicedo all had shots that flew high or wide but which they should have done better from. After that initial flurry West Ham defended well and only really looked nervous at the back in the four minutes of extra time at the end of the half.

In the end you have to feel sorry for Bellamy. He seemed to be under the impression that he had joined an ambitious club. There was only one club showing any ambition today and they were wearing claret & blue.