City have a thoroughly deserved win, with a pair of goals from Andrew Cole the day after his 34th birthday. Zamora set the nerves jangling in stoppage time, but City held on to move into fourth place in the Premiership.
Ben Thatcher and Richard Dunne both failed to shake off their injuries, so Stephen Jordan stayed at left back and Nedum Onuoha returned to central defence. Claudio Reyna returned after his neck injury, so in a reshuffled midfield Stephen Ireland kept his place and Sibierski dropped to the bench.
The Match
West Ham gained a corner in the second minute, but Benayoun’s effort was well read by Danny Mills who headed the ball clear.
Two minutes later, the Blues were appealing for a free kick when Repka appeared to pull Musampa down outside the box, but referee Clattenburg was having none of it and waved the appeals away.
On 10 minutes, Musampa floated in a corner from the right, and a slight touch on it from Mills was cleared off the line by Benayoun.
The Dutch winger was seeing a lot of the ball, and a minute later he forced a corner when his shot was deflected wide after good work by Cole in finding him.
And on 17 minutes City went ahead through some sublime skill from Andrew Cole! Vassell charged down the left, and with his partner begging to receive the ball he waited before back-heeling it to him. Cole, inside the left hand part of the area, then curled the ball high into the corner of the net past the despairing Carroll, a wonderful goal that delighted the City fans.
Musampa broke down the left after 25 minutes, and after delaying his cross to wait for support, the ball skidded across the box and Vassell’s faint touch was cleared from a yard out by Konchesky.
On 31 minutes, Stephen Ireland found himself in space 30 yards out and encouraged by the crowd he zeroed in on the penalty area. His shot was well struck but Roy Carroll saved with ease, leaping straight up and collecting with both hands..
And only two minutes later Carroll was in action again when he beat away a fierce shot from Mills, buoyed by his spectacular goal of two weeks ago.
The Hammers took a quick corner on 41 minutes, but James was alert to the danger and collected when diving backwards on the far post.
And in injury time, West Ham had to clear off the line for the third time, when Onuoha’s powerful header from a corner was nodded clear by Konchesky, again in the right place at the right time.
Half time
Dailly replaced Repka at half time.
Within three minutes of the restart City had a great chance, when after toe poke from Barton Cole found himself with a shooting chance from 10 yards out, but he drilled the ball straight at Carroll.
And a minute later it was James’ turn to make a save, when Etherington, have eluded the City defence, homed in on the City keeper but James stood his ground and blocked the former Spurs man’s shot.
It was end to end now, and immediately Vassell was in space and shooting, but Carroll beat his shot away. Musampa then put Vassell in the clear again on 52 minutes but his shot from the right hand side of the area went straight at the West Ham keeper.
City doubled the lead on 55 minutes, with Musampa heavily involved. The Dutchman shot from the left of the area, Carroll saved but could only parry into the path of Cole who slotted home from two yards out. The frenetic start to the second half had settled down into a thoroughly deserved two goal lead.
Musampa had another chance on 65 minutes, when Vassell released him on the left edge of the area. The winger shot with his left foot, but could only find the side netting. A minute later, Zamora replaced Sheringham who received a warm send-off from the City fans recalling his time spent across the city.
Cole nearly bagged a hat trick on 74 minutes, when in the clear in front of goal and in the box he shot with his right, but the ball somehow curled round the post to the striker’s dismay.
Zamora bounded into City’s area two minutes later, but Onuoha stood his ground and the impressive teenager blocked and was able to clear.
Lee Croft replaced Ireland with 10 minutes left, the youngster receiving huge acclaim after another assured performance.
City were still pressing, but the Hammers broke downfield with five minutes left. Benayoun tore into the box, but James dived at his feet to keep the two goal lead intact.
And Musampa nearly made it three a minute later, racing towards Carroll in a one on one. However Dailly caught up with him, and appeared to tap his ankle on the very edge of the box but Clattenburg waved away claims for a penalty. The Dutchman was replaced by Sun, and also received a deserved ovation.
But in stoppage time Zamora got the visitors back into the game with a goal, rounding James after being found by Benayoun to set up a nervy last two minutes.
Thankfully for the home faithful there was no more drama, and City had a totally deserved win, with easily their best display of the season yet.
