It was a moot point which was less of a shock. That Uefa discovered they do not have a sizeable fan club at the Etihad Stadium or that Manchester City saw off West Ham? Each felt inevitable on a night when City missed the chances to run riot and, in the first game after their two-season Champions League ban was announced, the soundtrack was part of the subplot.
A pursuit of second place that may matter less if its occupants are not allowed to play in continental competition. The majestic Kevin de Bruyne showed his talents belong at the highest level as, for the record, Liverpool’s lead was reduced to 22 points. City go to Leicester on Saturday guaranteed to stay in second even if they lose.
It represented a first chance for their supporters to make their feelings known since Friday’s judgment. There were banners reading “Uefa mafia,” “Uefa scam” and “Uefa cartel” and chants directed at European football’s governing body that, to say the least, were not exactly complimentary. And yet this was a placid occasion at times. They were a handful of placards at most and some of the louder choruses were serenading Pep Guardiola and Pablo Zabaleta, whose cameo for West Ham may mark a valedictory appearance at a ground where he is adored, rather than decrying anyone.
The atmosphere was scarcely intimidating. The football was only overshadowed at times. Instead, West Ham escaped a hiding but remained in the relegation zone. They failed to register a shot on target – a forward line of Robert Snodgrass and Michail Antonio was selected more on attitude than talent – despite giving Jarrod Bowen a late debut, but it may count as a reasonably successful damage-limitation exercise.
They were nevertheless architect of their own downfall. They defended in numbers and with some competence until they allowed one of City’s few tall players to strike in a rare case of Guardiola’s short team scoring from a corner. Rodri rose far above Ryan Fredericks to head in De Bruyne’s set-piece, though Aymeric Laporte applied a touch on the line.
As is invariably the case, De Bruyne was the best player on the pitch. He capped his performance with a deserved goal, exchanging passes with Bernardo Silva before whipping a shot past Lukasz Fabianski. He brought drive and class, set-piece expertise and a threat in open play, but then he often does.
Otherwise, City produced examples of the profligacy that has cost them in other games. Their tendency to over-complicate things was highlighted when Gabriel Jesus, who illustrated why he is not a natural goalscorer. He was twice sent clear on goal. When found by David Silva, contrived not even to shoot, let alone score. When picked out by De Bruyne, he delayed long enough for Aaron Cresswell to get back and block.
David Silva, too, was guilty of a glaring miss. On the eve of Jimmy Greaves’ 80th birthday, Sergio Aguero produced a quicksilver dart reminiscent of English football’s greatest goalscorer, marred by a shot that went just wide. Some 78 percent of possession and 20 shots ought to have led to more goals but City have greater concerns now.
