Gutsy Hammers lose out to dodgy penalty

Manchester City 1 (Aguero pen) Hammers 0

Ben Johnson made an impressive debut

We expected nothing but it took a seriously dodgy penalty for the home side to take the points and maintain their Title challenge.

Many were expecting a walkover when Manuel Pellegrini named a team which gave 19 year old Ben Johnson his debut at left back and included Andy Carroll up front and Pedro Obiang in midfield.

But the team produced a brilliant defensive performance full of guts and determination and, but for that penalty, which saw Anderson clumsily bump into Bernardo Silva, one from which they would have taken a point.

A very soft decision and not one that the Hammers deserved given an overall performance of real courage.

The arrival of Johnson into the team came as a result of his impressive Malaga winter break training sessions and this is a lad with all the confidence in the world, never putting a foot wrong before being replaced by Zaba early in the second half.

On the other side of the back four, Ryan Fredericks had a very strong game, making important interventions and one goal line clearance.

Issa Diop was outstanding against the fast movement of the City front line whilst Declan Rice was again in terrific form across midfield.

Manu Lanzni got a valuable 45 minutes and produced a great run and pass for Carroll to fire in a shot which was brilliantly saved by Ederson.

AC had his best game so far this season and was also seen to great effect at the back making some important clearances.

Ok, we were never quite good enough to win but I’m certainly not sure we deserved to lose and the lads have every right to feel very proud of their efforts against a very good team indeed.