Article
Collison strike hammers Man City
LONDON (AFP) - Jack Collison scored the only goal of the game as West Ham United beat visitors Manchester City at Upton Park on Sunday to edge closer to a possible UEFA Cup spot.
The Wales midfielder struck his third goal of the season in the 71st minute to continue the Hammers' resurgence under boss Gianfranco Zola.
However, another defeat for the inconsistent City could turn up the pressure on their manager Mark Hughes as they still have not won away from home in the league since August.
Former Hammers striker Craig Bellamy, roundly booed by the home fans, failed to score against his old club and was hauled off in the 66th minute.
The result moved West Ham up to seventh in the English Premier League table on 36 points, while Manchester City drop to 11th spot, four points behind the east London outfit.
The hosts played the better football and created nine shots on target compared to the Mancunian side's two.
Brazil striker Robinho, City's so-called marquee player, who has been criticised for his off-form performances, was under par again, despite some flashy step-overs.
Hammers midfielder Scott Parker was booked in the 10th minute for a clumsy challenge on England full-back Micah Richards, who had to be substituted off.
Robinho almost flicked the ball past England goalkeeper Robert Green with one chance but then missed the target from two yards out minutes later.
West Ham had injury worries of their own as Valon Behrami went off on a stretcher with a twisted knee.
Parker had a shot on target charged down in the second half, while at the other end, Robinho blasted a free kick into the crowd.
Soon after Wales striker Bellamy was replaced by Elano, the Hammers got their breakthrough.
Striker Savio Nsereko, on for Behrami, forced new City goalkeeper Shay Given into a parried save. Collison pounced and clipped the rebound into the top corner with a side-footed finish.
City tried to rally, with Elano setting up Robinho and Caicedo twice misfiring.
Elano came close to salvaging a point in the last minute but his free kick clipped the outside of the post.
Info
Goals
|
J. Collison 71'
|
1 - 0 |
Lineups
| Player | Bookings |
|---|---|
| R. Green | |
| L. Neill | |
| H. Ilunga | |
| M. Upson | |
| J. Tomkins | |
V. Behrami
|
|
|
R. Kovac
|
 44'
|
| S. Parker |
11'
|
| J. Collison | |
| C. Cole | |
|
D. Di Michele
|
|
| Coach: G. Zola | |
Substitutions
| Player | Bookings |
|---|---|
|
for V. Behrami 43' |
|
|
for R. Kovac 83' |
|
|
for D. Di Michele 87' |
| Player | Bookings |
|---|---|
| S. Given | |
| W. Bridge | |
| N. Onuoha | |
| R. Dunne | |
|
M. Richards
|
|
| P. Zabaleta | |
| V. Kompany |
69'
|
|
N. de Jong
|
|
| S. Ireland |
90'
|
| Robinho | |
|
C. Bellamy
|
|
| Coach: M. Hughes | |
Substitutions
| Player | Bookings |
|---|---|
|
for M. Richards 15' |
|
|
for C. Bellamy 66' |
|
|
for N. de Jong 89' |
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