Here we go then, the first full match review of the season where we’ll be taking a look at exactly how Pep’s inverted full-backs caused West Ham so many problems, why Haaland is almost impossible to deal with, what Moyes tried in response and why it didn’t work.
As the game kicked off on Sunday, West Ham came out of the blocks quickest and their early intensity unsettled City as Pep’s team attempted to take control. In just the second minute, Fornals won a high turnover from a loose Cancelo pass and the resultant corner saw both Bowen and Antonio go close. At this point, we seemed set for a re-run of the game from MD37 last season where Moyes’ side disrupted City’s usual rhythm and were hugely effective on the counter.
Such optimism was swiftly crushed though as City began to dominate possession and progress through the thirds with ease. West Ham had lined up in the usual 4231 shape but found the structure being narrowed by Pep’s utilisation of Cancelo and Walker in central areas. This created space for Grealish and Foden to drop-off and receive the ball from the centre-backs before progressing down the vacant flanks.
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