Manchester City missed the chance to move six points clear at the top of the Premier League as West Ham produced a clinical counter-attacking display at Etihad Stadium.
Victor Moses drilled in his first West Ham goal with a low 20-yard shot which crept inside Joe Hart's left-hand post.The visitors doubled their lead when Diafra Sakho hooked in from six yards.
City's record signing Kevin De Bruyne fired in to halve the deficit, but West Ham held on to move into second place.
Yaya Toure's angled shot whistled past the Hammers' post after the break, while away keeper Adrian made a string of excellent saves.
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City dominated the game, controlling 72% of possession
and attempting 27 shots at goal, but were unable to find a way past an
away side who are now three points behind them.
Hammers happy on the road
Many West Ham fans might have been forgiven for fearing the worst when the fixture computer handed their team trips to Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City in their opening three away games.
But they have taken nine points from a possible nine after following up their opening-weekend 2-0 win at Emirates, and the 3-0 success at Anfield, with an arguably even better result against City.
City had not conceded a single Premier League goal before Saturday's match, but without injured skipper Vincent Kompany were overcome by defensive uncertainty.
Left-back Aleksandar Kolarov backed off to allow Moses to shoot for the opener, while the home defence reacted slowly to a set-piece as Sakho pounced.
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| Manuel Pellegrini |
The heatmap marking the
average position of each team's back four shows how deep West Ham's
defence (right) were forced compared to their City rivals (left)
City deserved better luck - Pellegrini
Manuel Pellegrini's side suffered a chastening midweek defeat when they surrendered a 1-0 lead against Italian side Juventus to lose 2-1 in their Champions League opener.
But the Blues, who netted 11 goals without reply in their opening five top-flight matches, would have been confident of bouncing back against opposition with a woeful record at Etihad Stadium.
Going into the match, the Hammers had suffered seven consecutive defeats in east Manchester, scoring just three goals and conceding 20 in the process.
Manuel Pellegrini's side suffered a chastening midweek defeat when they surrendered a 1-0 lead against Italian side Juventus to lose 2-1 in their Champions League opener.
But the Blues, who netted 11 goals without reply in their opening five top-flight matches, would have been confident of bouncing back against opposition with a woeful record at Etihad Stadium.
Going into the match, the Hammers had suffered seven consecutive defeats in east Manchester, scoring just three goals and conceding 20 in the process.
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| Winston Reid |
However, Slaven Bilic's side executed their game plan
perfectly, catching their opponents on the break, taking the chances
they created, and then defending stoutly to preserve their lead.
Reid shines in heart of defence
While Spanish keeper Adrian will take most of the plaudits for keeping out City, Hammers centre-back Winston Reid was also instrumental in helping his team clinch their fourth win of the Premier League season.
The New Zealand international made the most clearances (20) and interceptions (five) during the match, while he also won back possession for his side (nine) more than any other player.
Reid shines in heart of defence
While Spanish keeper Adrian will take most of the plaudits for keeping out City, Hammers centre-back Winston Reid was also instrumental in helping his team clinch their fourth win of the Premier League season.
The New Zealand international made the most clearances (20) and interceptions (five) during the match, while he also won back possession for his side (nine) more than any other player.
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