FFT's Harriet Drudge was in the press box at Upton Park to analyse West Ham's 2-2 draw with title-challengers Manchester City using Stats Zone – FREE on iOS and Android...
Aguero saves City… again
Sergio Aguero: seven shots, three on target, two goals. The Argentine saved City again, despite having only scraps to feed on.
Other than the penalty in the 9th minute, it took the visitors until Aguero’s second on the 81st to register another shot on target.
The overall shot count was level at 3-3 at half-time but improved dramatically in the second half, West Ham notching 10 shots to City’s 16. Of those 16, three were on target (all from Aguero), 10 were blocked and two hit the post.
Payet pulling the strings
Once again, Dimitri Payet was at the heart of West Ham’s vibrant attacking display.
Though not on the scoresheet this week, the Frenchman’s flicks, tricks and vision exposed Manchester City. He got the Hammers faithful on their feet time and again as he completed seven successful take-ons and forced a brilliant save from Joe Hart in the first half as he looked to add another spectacular free-kick strike to his collection.
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An honorary mention too to his partner in crime on the left, Aaron Cresswell - a willing runner all evening, providing an option on the overlap.
Valencia at the double
Post-match, Slaven Bilic hailed his side’s quality and teamwork.
“I am really proud of the team,” said Bilic. “We were fantastic as a team and we were fantastic as individuals."
Payet may be stealing the headlines in the West Ham side, but two standout individual performances from Enner Valencia and Alex Song were also vital to such an impressive overall performance by the home side.
Valencia’s finishing was clinical: two shots, two goals for the Ecuadorian, doubling his season tally in the league.
Song on song
Song, rightly named Man of the Match, marshalled the midfield well and, alongside Mark Noble, worked tirelessly to ensure City could not counter-attack at will, recovering the ball 14 times and winning eight out of the 13 tackles he attempted. The former Arsenal man also used the ball well, completing 85% of his passes, 10/10 when mopping up in the defensive third.
Impressive Iheanacho
Kelechi Iheanacho has already proven his worth as a super substitute for City in the league this season, scoring a late winner at Crystal Palace in September.
The 19-year-old was impressive again coming on as a 76th minute substitute for Fabian Delph.
He attempted two shots, one off target and one blocked but his foray into the area lead to Aguero’s equaliser and his directness in the attacking third was something that had been lacking from City’s play up until his introduction.
Match facts
Enner Valencia scored West Ham’s fifth goal inside the opening minute in Premier League history and their first since Kevin Nolan against Fulham in September 2012.
Valencia’s opening goal was the second quickest goal (53 seconds) in the Premier League this season – Matt Ritchie’s goal for Bournemouth against Spurs was timed at 49 seconds.
Sergio Aguero has been involved in eight goals (six goals, two assists) in his eight league appearances against West Ham.
Aguero has scored 14 goals in 10 away Premier League appearances in London.
West Ham’s Carl Jenkinson has conceded three penalties this season, more than any other player.
All of Man City’s four penalties in the Premier League this season have been taken by different players (Yaya Toure, Wilfried Bony, Aleksandar Kolarov and Aguero).
The Hammers have scored three goals via thrown-ins in the Premier League this season – Arsenal are the only other team to score via this method (1).
This is the first Premier League season since 2002/03 that West Ham have remained unbeaten against Man City (W1 D1).
Aguero scored his 89th and 90th goals in his 136th Premier League appearance – the same number it took Ruud van Nistelrooy to hit the 90-goal milestone. Only Alan Shearer (90 in 113 games) has done it quicker.
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