A spectacular own goal from West Ham’s James Collins and a Sergio Agüero goal helped Manchester City to their first Premier League win in nearly a month
As routine a win as you are ever likely to see, they are now seven points clear of Liverpool in fifth. Navas was particularly impressive. The lack of ambition from West Ham was startling. Here’s hoping Silva is ok, he took a horrible blow to the face.
Thanks for your emails and tweets and own goals. I’m off to do the Bahrain Grand Prix lap-by-lap report, which you can read here. Bye!
95 min: City simply seeing the game out now, and West Ham appear content to let them do so.
Here’s R. Glazowski on the email. “There’s a pretty spectacular own goal that was scored in the Polish second division a few years back. What makes is all the sweeter is that the scorer’s name (Madry) actually translates as ‘wise’ in Polish.”
STRIKER!
93 min: The game is becoming stretched now, and Toure is there to exploit the space, breaking beyond West Ham’s midfield. It’s two on two! Toure slips in Dzeko but the striker’s first touch is poor, and he can only muster a left-footed shot straight at Adrian. Should have done better.
91 min: Downing goes down under a challenge from Mangala. No free-kick. Allardyce is going absolutely postal at the fourth official. I’m no lipreader, but there are some choice words being uttered there. Replays show there was no contact from Mangala. Ha.
90 min: Here comes Dzeko for City’s final change, on for Aguero who receieves a standing ovation. Nine minutes added on here, for that Silva blow to the head.
88 min: Great save from Hart! Nolan latches onto a poor back pass from Navas, but Nolan can’t beat the City keeper, who speads himself expertly. The danger is not over, with Valencia picking up the rebound, but he takes one touch too many, and Kolarov gets another block in.
Man City make their second change: Lampard off, Fernandinho on.
87 min: What a run from Valencia. The West Ham man turns Demichelis inside out, tiptoeing along the byline, cutting inside Mangala and squirting his shot just wide. That’s the closest West Ham have come. What a run!
86 min: Aguero is wrongfully given offside. He was clean through there. City fans will be pleased to know he’s showing no signs of struggling with that knock on his ankle from earlier.
84 min: City respond in kind, again it’s Navas who cuts it back. Toure, under pressure from Nolan, skies his shot into the stand.
More own goal japery. “I remember a great one by one of my old City favourites, Willie Donachie,” recalls Phil Grey. He was playing for Scotland against Wales in 1978 (I’m feeling older and older as I write this), and he overhit a back pass to the goalkeeper (they could catch them in those days of course) and it end up being a perfect curled lob. A sort of Henry in reverse, from the left side instead of the right, and past his own keeper instead of the oppositions!”
Ben Plant, meanwhile, has plucked for Wayne Hatswell’s o.g. for Forest Green Rovers in a first round FA Cup tie. “It remains my all time favourite; I think it’s the time he has to consider his options that makes the end result all the more spectacular.”
82 min: Much better from West Ham, who are pinging the ball about nicely now. Why has it taken so long for them to wake up?
80 min: And just like that, West Ham spring into life: Creswell getting beyond Zabaleta and pulling the ball back across goal. Valencia is chopped down inside the area by Kolarov – surely that’s a penalty? – and the ball runs through to Downing who attempts a shot on his weaker right. Well blocked by Mangala. The Frenchman has played well today.
78 min: The tempo of the match has completely fallen flat after that Silva injury. Both the players and the crowd seem subdued. You would hope West Ham give it a proper go in the last 20 minutes or so we have left, so what if they lose 3-0 or 4-0?
75 min: Silva is finally hoisted to the sidelines. He’s wearing an oxygen mask. Not looking good, hopefully it’s not too bad. Nasri on.
73 min: Silva is still down. He appears to be conscious, but hasn’t moved in around six minutes now. Nasri is ready to come on, but I think it will be another few minutes before we restart play.
70 min: Silva is still down, with perhaps five medical people helping him into a neck brace and a stretcher. City and West Ham players hover around Silva, all with worrying expressions on their faces. I would be very surprised if Silva hasn’t broken his cheekbone.
67 min: Oooo, that’s a nasty blow to the head of Silva! Kouyate caught him horribly with his elbow and is shown a yellow card. It was probably accidental, but replays show how forceful the hit to Silva’s cheek was. His head visibly rocked back, and the Spaniard is in all sorts of trouble on the deck. He won’t play any further part.
66 min: West Ham make two much-needed changes. Nolan is coming on for Cole, and Jarvis is coming on for Song.
64 min: Everything is coming down City’s right, as Navas continues to torment Creswell. City are probably guilty of overdoing it once they get into the area. Just shoot lads!
61 min: It’s not quite happening for Valencia today. Zabatela has had him in his pocket all afternoon. A well-judged slide tackle from Man City’s right back sets up yet another counter-attack.
“Chris Brass breaking his own nose while scoring one takes some beating,” suggests Mark Jelbert. “Not sure why there is some electric guitar over the replays on this but there you go.”
59 min: West Ham make their first meaningful foray into City’s half. Downing cuts inside – he doesn’t look interested today – and Jenkinson sends a hopeful cross to the back post. Three separate West Ham attackers are caught offside and City’s defence step up.
57 min: Silva is booked for throwing his arm across Reid’s face as he attempts to shield the ball. It’s a little harsh on second viewing. Boos ring out around the Etihad.
54 min: Kolarov and Navas take it in turns to cross the ball across West Ham’s box. No attacker can get a header on goal. No defender can clear. West Ham have assumed the position they did in the opening 20 minutes: entrenched deep inside their own box.
51 min: Aguero is back on his feet and the Etihad breathes a collective sigh of relief. He’s moving gingerly, but looks as though he’s going to come back on. Stand down Dzeko.
50 min: Worrying signs here for City, Aguero is still down as City play on. It looks like they’re signalling for a stretcher. Dzeko is warming up on the sidelines.
49 min: So nearly another goal for City. Aguero plays a simple one-two with Touré on the edge, with Lampard dummying the return to completely deceive Collins. Aguero’s first touch is heavy, and Jenkinson is just able to get a toe on the ball to deflect it behind. Aguero goes down in a heap. It looks like he got a couple of studs in his ankle with Jenkinson’s follow through there.
47 min: Song feeds a ball down the right flank and Valencia stretches his legs. My word he is quick, isn’t he. But Mangala matches him stride for stride, easing the West Ham man off the ball with his strength.
Peeeep! Here we go again. No changes made at the break.
Philip Vernau has suggested Lee Dixon’s magnificent effort from 1991. Clip includes commentary from David Seaman, who signs off with “Nice one Dicko.”
What is your favourite ever own goal? Do email michael.butler@theguardian.com or tweet me @michaelbutler18 if you have any thoughts.
This one from Man City’s Jamie Pollock (back in 1998 against QPR) isn’t half bad. Touch of Gazza ‘96.