[West Ham United](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-vs-manchester-city-preview-team-news-predicted-line-ups/) were going to have to come from behind after Bernardo Silva’s mishit chipped cross deceived everybody and looped into West Ham’s goal after half an hour of solid defence. Within four minutes, however, the Irons were level and London Stadium erupted: Mavropanos rose to head home Bowen’s corner and the resilience of this 2026 West Ham side showed its face.
95 games and the big defender finally got his first goal as a Hammer. After a first fifteen minutes when the Hammers couldn’t get the ball, the half ended with near 50 / 50 possession as West Ham’s relentless chasing kept Manchester City at bay.
Doku and Ait Nouri’s substitutions happened at 60 minutes as City struggled to impose themselves. One huge save from Hermansen saw Haaland’s first and only effort of the game well saved: Pablo followed off as Magassa joined with fresh legs, as did Taty for Traore ten minutes later.
Tension and more as City’s corner count grew past 14. Four additional minutes. No fingernails left. Guehi fired over from point blank and you sensed the moment had passed for city. Hermansen grabbed it and the home crowd cheered as if they’d witnessed a winner. Awesome.
**Todibo, Mavropanos and Disasi** look an immense unit working together. For the first time, Nuno’s three at the back option looked solid. Several times Todibo in particular made several important tackles and looked top quality as the three worked to keep Haaland quiet. As Joe Cole said on TNT ‘_the three centre halves look magnificent_‘. In stoppage time, “_Immaculate_” man of the match Mavropanos took one full in the face in the cause: Immense.
West Ham looked **solid from set pieces** once again. Corners rained down but the trio at the back and Hermansen behind them looked organised and composed, Soucek in particular getting his head to most.
**Mads Hermansen** made a string of fingertip, top quality saves. Fully repaying the faith Nuno placed in him, the Dane is fleet of foot and moves the ball back into play fast but tonight he looked on top form. Superb. West Ham upto 17th and looking good.