Time to talk up Cole

Andy Cole already seems to be talking the same language as Darius Vassell.

During their time together at Manchester United, Cole and Sheringham famously never spoke to each other following a bust-up during a game.

The simmering feud did not derail The Red Devils' quest for glory and the two veterans were back in the spotlight on Sunday.

Cole is now with United's old rivals City, while Sheringham is enjoying an Indian summer with Premiership new boys West Ham United.

The clash at The City of Manchester Stadium provided the former silent colleagues with the opportunity to show they have one last hurrah left in them.

And it was birthday boy Cole who got the better of the argument, with two contrasting goals, as Sheringham endured an uncharacteristically quiet day at the office.

Since joining City in the summer from Fulham, Cole has forged a productive partnership with fellow new signing Vassell and the pair appear to be working in harmony.

City's first goal against West Ham was a classic example of two players singing from the same hymn sheet as they combined to unlock a creaking visiting defence.

Cole exploited the pace of Vassell and the ex-Aston Villa forward sprinted purposefully into the box as his team-mate rapidly made up ground from the centre circle.

As Vassell cut inside, he cleverly backheeled the ball into Cole's path and the former England international delivered a delicious curling shot into the far corner of the net.

Cole's second goal owed much to the tenacity of Vassell, who won the ball on the edge of the box before feeding Kiki Musampa. When the Dutchman's shot was spilled by Roy Carroll, Cole was on hand to apply a predatory finish.

This partnership between Cole and Vassell has fused quickly and is one of the key reasons behind City's best start to a top-flight season in almost 30 years.

It is also worth noting that when Stuart Pearce's troops suffered their two defeats in The Premiership this season, it was when the combination was broken up due to an injury to Cole.

Pearce has been delighted with Cole's impact at the club and has already spoken about handing the experienced marksman a contract extension.

Despite celebrating his 34th birthday on Saturday, Cole still looks capable of performing at the highest level for at least another season and his poaching instincts show no signs of being on the wane.

Cole and Vassell seem happy to be playing alongside one another and the partnership, allied to the new surroundings, has brought the best out of the two strikers.

But even if the single-minded Cole has another row with a team-mate, City boss Pearce can console himself with the fact that it does not stop the hit-man from delivering the goods.