David Silva scored a late goal as runaway English Premier League leaders Manchester City restored their eight-point lead with a 2-1 victory against West Ham United on Sunday.
Silva converted Kevin de Bruyne’s brilliant pass from close range in the 83rd minute as City maintained their blistering form this season and won their 13th successive EPL game.
Nicolas Otamendi had converted substitute Gabriel Jesus’s cross in the 57th minute to equalise, after defender Angelo Ogbonna had headed West Ham into the lead.
It was the most unlikely lead at the end of a first half in which the hosts dominated.
City have not lost a game since April, and face second-place rivals Manchester United next Sunday.
West Ham, who have won only twice all season, sit 19th — three points behind West Bromwich Albion in 17th.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, in his post-match comment, said: “Today was different to (the late winning goal against) Southampton — I did not think that was going to happen.
“But today, since after five minutes in the second half, I felt we were going to score. Our pace and pass were quicker and better. That is why we are so happy — every game is so tough and it is important to keep our momentum.
“We started well but lost our patience and couldn’t find the players in position. They moved too much.
“But you have ups and downs — what is important is that in the second half it was outstanding the way we played.
“It means we have done 39 points in a row. That is a lot. You see how they run and how they fight, that’s why we are so proud again.
“Before next week’s match against Manchester United, we have to travel to Ukraine and after that think about Old Trafford. We are going to try to be who we are,” he said.
West Ham manager David Moyes, on his part, said: “I have to say it was a really good effort. We defended much better today.
“We’ve worked a bit on it. We had one day where we could prepare.
“We needed our goalkeeper to play well. He got both hands to most things. I thought most of it was outside the box. I have to say we did a really good job.
“What a chance we had to make it 2-2 late on. My feeling was I thought we deserved it (to equalise).
“You get results in different ways and it looked as though we might have got one today. Our effort today was top. For long parts of the game, we were in with a chance of getting a result.”(Reuters/NAN)
