Goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Fernandinho guided Manchester City through a snowstorm and up to second in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over West Ham at Etihad Stadium.
Gundogan’s first-half tap-in (33) was the difference between the two sides at the interval, which was heavily extended as City’s ground staff valiantly cleared the playing surface of the deluge of snow that had made the end of the first period virtually unplayable.
The adverse conditions and lengthy half-time break prevented a free-flowing second half but City kept West Ham at arm’s length throughout before wrapping the victory when substitute Fernandinho scored (90) with one of his first touches within three minutes of coming on.
West Ham, who fell to back-to-back Premier League defeats for the first time since April, had the final word when Manuel Lanzini rifled a stunning effort in off the post (90+4), but it was mere consolation on a day when the champions’ quality and the conditions frustrated David Moyes’ side.
City’s fifth consecutive victory in all competitions lifts them to second in the Premier League, level with leaders Chelsea on 29 points, while West Ham remain six points further back in fourth.
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