Manchester City extends unbeaten run to seven games:
Manchester City put in a convincing display to beat bottom of the table side West Ham United 3-1 in the Premier League to extend their unbeaten streak to seven games. Yaya Toure and Adam Johnson were on target for City, and Robert Green deflected one in
the back of his own net to give City a comfortable win.
Considering they have a fairly easier fixture list during the packed Christmas period, they will be looking to keep within touching distance of the top teams, before playing current league leaders Arsenal on 5 January.
Manchester City drew level with Arsenal on points at the top of the table, and the best thing for Roberto Mancini's side is that they have taken all three points without Tevez for the second time, which is a big morale booster for all the other players.
Carlos Tevez, who did not feature in the game, has been in the spot light this weekend for all the wrong reasons. The Argentine has confirmed that he wants to quit the club.
Manchester City has closed an eight point gap on the league leaders after putting together an amazing seven-game unbeaten run. Yaya Toure’s opening goal for the club gave everyone something to cheer about. In a press conference, Yaya’s brother Kolo Toure
said, “We use the criticism as a motivation, when you feel the pressure you can offer your best. I think you can see that at the moment - everybody's waiting for our mistake and that gives us more strength because we don't want to be criticised by the
newspapers or other teams. I think this win definitely showed the togetherness of the team.”
The Ivorian further went on to say that the players expected the criticism given that so much money had been spent on the squad, but the only way to silence them was by performing well consistently.
Manchester City dominated the game from the start, and it was no surprise when Yaya Toure smashed the ball into the back of the net to give his side the lead. West Ham regained their composure in the second half and started strongly, but midway through the
half Toure’s shot hit the upright and went in off Robert Green. Substitute Adam Johnson then put the result beyond doubt, when he scored in the 81st minute. In the dying minutes of game, City had more and more chances to make the score line even more convincing
for them, but West Ham’s defence somehow held on. James Tomkins grabbed a consolation goal for the home side just before stoppage time.
After a nil-nil draw at White Hart Lane on the opening day of the season, City have scored seven times and conceded just once in London.
Kolo Toure told reporters that he had a good feeling about the team’s performance, and said that their luck in London will help boost their morale for the rest of the season. He believes that City’s fixtures against the big London sides will go a long way
in determining where they finish in the Premier League.
Toure said, "The top teams playing each other will be massive for us. We have a big chance to get close to them and we did that very well at Upton Park. We think that there are massive games coming. The Christmas period is the most
difficult of the season.”
Manchester City is lucky enough to have played the four title contenders, and they still look in good shape. In their next matches they will face teams like Everton and Newcastle. Toure believes that the games between the top sides could give them the advantage,
and push them closer to the top of the table.
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