1. This win proves Sam Allardyce’s controversial point
Allardyce recently categorised coaches into two types; the one that adapts to the opposition’s strengths like him, Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson, then the other incorrigible group that is stuck on their philosophies, like Arsene Wenger, Brendan Rodgers and Manuel Pellegrini. He added that his type usually wins.
His comments may have been controversial but this game perfectly illustrated them. West Ham tailored their approach to cater for Manchester City’s expansive attacking, while City kept their usual 4-4-2 formation. The result was a technically superior side lost.
2. Upton Park now has a reason to dream
Upton Park was certainly in a jovial mood and once the fans noticed that their side was edging the contest, they starting making some interesting chants like “we are going to win the league”.
Winning the league takes consistent performances and squad depth which West Ham may not have, but their fans have every reason to believe that this side can achieve a lot this season. A couple of big teams are struggling and they could do better than their initial target of just finishing in the top half of the table.
3. Pellegrini should have balanced out the energy levels of his side better
It is understandable why Manuel Pellegrini opted for Jesus Navas on the right wing because James Milner covered a lot of ground against CSKA Moscow in midweek and West Ham’s brilliant full-back Aaron Cresswell is not the quickest, so Navas was a better pick with his pace.
Up front though, the Chilean manager should have gone with Stevan Jovetic instead of Dzeko to partner Aguero. After picking a central midfield of only two players and Navas who would not be involved in the build-ups as much as Milner, Pellegrini should have tried to balance out the energy levels in his side by starting with a more industrious Jovetic.
City were a much better side when Jovetic came on after the hour-mark; they pressed better and linked up well when they attacked. This game would have been different if they started with the intensity they showed in the last 30 minutes.
4. Alex Song’s influence keeps growing
This game was a good indicator of how Song is settling at the Hammers. Against a Manchester United midfield that was superior, the Cameroonian had a decent game but his influence was greater against a City midfield that was also supposed to dominate.
Song was clearly one of the best performers in the game; his technique in possession, his movement and desire to do the dirty work was impressive. His discipline left a lot to be desired, but if he deals with that then West Ham will have two of the best midfielders in the division, including Stewart Downing.
5. Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan will have their work cut out in trying to break into the starting XI
There has been so much change from the days when Carroll and Nolan used to be at the heart of West Ham’s attacking plan. Now, West Ham have Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia, who are not just deadly in front of goal but are working extremely hard off the ball.
Sakho started out wide in this game and his work rate was beyond that of a striker. Ousting these two summer recruits from West Ham United’s starting XI will be difficult to say the very least.
