Pre Match News

Stuart Pearce has drafted in Stephen Jordan to replace Joey Barton as the Blues look set to adopt the 3-5-2 formation that reaped rewards at Bramall Lane.

The Match

City kick off to a chorus of ‘Bubbles’ from the West Ham faithful and hopefully Pearce’s men will have burst them come 4:50 this afternoon.

West Ham produced the first shot in anger on 11 minutes. It was good football from the Hammers before Harewood laid the ball of for Mullins hit to an awkward drive.

Bowyer was next to get the crowd going with another drive from distance. Weaver was never troubled by it though.

City had settled 20 minutes in and with Stephen Ireland showing good touches in midfield the Blues confidence grew.

A promising City break was cut short by Spector, who picked up a booking for his troubles, after bringing down Trabelsi on the right. Nothing came from the resulting free kick.

With the home fans getting more frustrated, City almost shot themselves in the foot. Dabo’s attempt at switching play gave West Ham the ball and Teddy Sheringham’s goalbound attempt picked up a deflection on the way five minutes before the end of the half.

Having given a good account of themselves in the first half, Stuart Pearce can be pleased with the efforts of his side, with the home crowd showing plenty of nerves.

HALF TIME: West Ham 0-0 City

No changes at half time, despite the West Ham cries for Tevez to be introduced.

On 54 minutes an old enemy in the shape of Sheringham nearly came back to haunt City. The former United man hit a trademark free kick from roughly 20-yards out, which flicked the bar on the way over.

The loudest cheer of the day came just moments later as the Hammers fans got their wish as Tevez replaced Matty Etherington.

Vassell’s chasing of causes gave City their first real attempt 17 minutes into the second half. The striker’s endeavour gave Richards a sight of goal. The England man could only blast the ball over Green’s bar and into the crowd.

Pearce made his first change with 65 minutes on the clock as Stephen Ireland was replaced by Beasley.

Moments later it was Curbishley tinkering again. The veteran Sheringham came off for Cole. City countered that with the introduction of Samaras on 70 minutes.

There was more action down on the benches at this point than on the pitch.

Good football crossing the pitch from West Ham resulting in a fine drive just over from Tevez on 77 minutes.

DaMarcus Beasley capitalised on some hesitation around the right hand side of the pitch on half way and after Samaras showed a good touch the on-loan winger picked the ball up and kept running.

He ran right through the West Ham defence before coolly finishing right footed past Green with just eight minutes left and send the travelling City fans wild.

West Ham couldn’t get back into the game and City held out for back to back wins for the first time since October 2005.

FULL TIME: West Ham 0-1 City