Match stats show that both sides had 12 efforts on goal. I can see where the Londoners earned their efforts but when you sit and watch the whole game there was little doubt they were second best.
City put in a mesmerising performance of unpredictability and movement that left the Hammers chasing shadows.
It took only 3 mins for Paul Parry to find space wide left and his cross was cleverly left by McAnuff for Alan Lee to fire through Stephen Bywater.
Less than 15 mins later and Joe Ledley (he's only a baby - 17 years old) received a deep cross from McAnuff and Ledley tamed the ball with his left foot before rfiling through Bywater with his right.
Before half time Gary O'Neil had resumed his relationship with the woodwork when his free kick landed on the bar.
I've mentioned above about the movement. This was not a static, predictable City XI. We saw a flash of what was to come against Leicester, City were heads above the Foxes but couldn't hit the net. Tonight the goals came but the lads worked hard.
Parry's move up front looks like a move of genius. He may have played a bit further forward tonight than a 4 - 4 - 1 - 1. City played more like 4 - 2 - 4. Ledley and McAnuff assisted the front two of Parry and Lee and the fluidity of movement was exceptional.
One minute Lee was bursting through, next minute Lee was supporting the wide players who were pushing on. The movement and angles run buy the front FOUR and the support from Kav and O'Neil meant West Ham were chasing shadows.
2 - 0 up at half time. Sounds good. 10 mins into the second half and it was 3 - 0. More superb movement saw Parry break free in the box and slot past poor Bywater. He was helpless for all the goals.
At 3 - 0 even I'm not totally confident we can see a game out. That concern deepended when Harewood was taken out by Kav in the box. I personally thought Kav may have had a shout of a fair tackle but speaking to others they thought it was a stonewall penalty. I will give Harewood the credit of accelerating like an express train and his thrust deserved something. He stood up to score the spot kick.
My fears of a West Ham comeback were kicked from me when more City magic created a cross from Ledley which JOBI McANUFF (who else) scored from close range. Even the first couple of rows of West Ham supporters applauded him.
Justice had been done.
Alan Lee was given Man of the Match. His contribution was huge. He started with a goal and ran all night long, wide, forward, in the air, on the deck etc etc. Parry was electric in a free role, McAnuff had a point to prove and gave Brevitt a torrid runaround (in the end brevitt was subbed), Ledley in his carefree youth went for it against proven players.
Personally I thought we were strong at the back. The penalty apart (given away by Kav - harshly in my opinion) Gabbidon and especially Collins were immense. West Ham were big and quick but did not have the control City had. Collins never missed a header. Gabbidon had to contend with a refereee who gave a free kick against him every time he made a challenge. Tony Warner was 8ft tall when collecting crosses and apart from diving the wrong way for the penalty was solid as a rock. Collins' form will keep Vidmar out of the side at Millmoor.
It pleased me no end that Zamora did not score. Ha ha ha. Etherington upset me as well for a needless charge on Parry that went unpunished. For that Matthew and your poncy attitude "4 - 1" ha ha ha.
Rebrov came on (didn't he used to be famous?) so did Don Hutchinson for the ineffective Lee Chadwick.
So it's onto Rotherham on Saturday. I hope they have the same pies they had last season, mmm. Wth Jobi getting one against his former employers tonight how about our TOP SCORER Alan Lee getting one on Saturday.