West Bromwich Albion vs Manchester City. Premier League.
The HawthornsAttendance24,003.
Sunday 29 October 2017 07:51, UK
Manchester City continued their winning Premier League run on Saturday as they beat West Brom 3-2 at The Hawthorns to extend their lead to five points at the top of the table.
Pep Guardiola's side have won their last seven league matches, and they got off to another good start when they opened the scoring in the 10th minute as Leroy Sane slotted home.
Three minutes later, West Brom levelled through Jay Rodriguez (13), only to fall behind once again thanks to a fine Fernandinho strike (15). Raheem Sterling (64) added Man City's third just minutes after coming on as a substitute in the second half, before Matt Phillips (90+2) set up a nervy ending when he scored a second Baggies goal late on.
But West Brom could not find a late equaliser as their winless run extends to eight games in all competitions, while City are now five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
It took City 10 minutes to open the scoring at The Hawthorns. A superb pass from Fernandinho picked out Sane on the left flank and the Germany international fired into the far corner.
The lead did not last long as three minutes later West Brom punished the high line of Man City's defence. Gareth Barry pumped a ball forward on the half turn as he looked to get away from David Silva, picking out the forward run of Rodriguez. He collected the pass before lifting the ball the onrushing Ederson to level the score.
It did not last long, though, as Fernandinho popped up once again, this time to put City back ahead. A lovely move across the top of the box saw Sane pick out the Brazil midfielder and his shot came off the outstretched foot of Ahmed Hegazi before hammering home via the post.
There could have been another goal in the first half, with both sides going close. Silva just headed a Kevin De Bruyne pass over the crossbar before Salomon Rondon's own nodded effort also went agonisingly wide.
The second half was a quieter affair, before Sterling added Man City's third in the 64th minute, not long after coming on as a substitute. It was a superb team move from the visitors, with Silva picking out Kyle Walker down the right of the box. His inviting cross was then poked home by the waiting Sterling just three minutes after his introduction.
West Brom were to have the final say, though, as they pulled another goal back in the 92nd minute. Barry was involved once again, floating a ball into the box that Nicolas Otamendi failed to deal with as his chested clearance fell to a waiting Phillips at the back post, who slotted home past Ederson.
Tony Pulis: "I don't think you can fault any of our players today, they really had a go and there were a couple of opportunities that you hope you can take. You need to against these top clubs.
"It's difficult in respect of playing a team that is that good and with so much quality, but I think the lads will come out with a lot of credit for what they have done today and the way they have worked as a team."
Pep Guardiola: "It was another good performance but we have three problems because we conceded three chances and West Brom scored two goals but we played really well in a lot of things. We deserved that win and it was just 3-2 but we could have scored a lot more goals."
Charlie Nicholas: "It's the beautiful game, it truly is. City should have had this game wrapped up and put to bed by half-time.
"They scored two goals against the top team in the land so that gives West Brom some hope. They went with a back three and tried to chop and change it as the game went on but honestly, Man City were way, way ahead of them with the way they pass and move."
It's not every game that Fernandinho pops up with the attacking goods, but he had a hand in City's opening two goals, assisting for Leroy Sane before netting a fine strike himself - even if he may have had a helping hand from a West Brom defender and the post.
But he was also solid in the middle of the park, helping to restrict West Brom and produced some important tackles when called upon. A good afternoon for the Brazil international.
West Brom face a tough trip to Huddersfield in the Premier League next Saturday. Man City are in Champions League action on Wednesday when they head to Napoli before welcoming Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League, live on Nissan Super Sunday next weekend.
