West Ham 2-2 Man City: Sergio Aguero scores twice to rescue point

By Oliver Yew

Sunday 24 January 2016 19:04, UK

Sergio Aguero scored twice as Manchester City came from behind to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw with West Ham at Upton Park.

It took West Ham just 53 seconds to take the lead, with Enner Valencia firing a low shot past Joe Hart and into the back of the net.

But in a frantic opening Aguero, who had hit the post minutes earlier, levelled the scores from the penalty spot (9) after being brought down in the box by Carl Jenkinson.

After the break, it was the home side that regained the lead with Valencia capitalising on some poor City defending (56) but Aguero had the final word with an 81st-minute equaliser.

The result means City move up to second ahead of Arsenal - who face Chelsea on Super Sunday - on goal difference, but they remain three points behind leaders Leicester following their 3-0 win at home to Stoke earlier on Saturday.

Slaven Bilic's side stay sixth but move a point behind Manchester United in the European places.

West Ham, who named new signing Sam Byram on the bench, raced out of the blocks with Cheikhou Kouyate bursting past Yaya Toure before firing a cross into the box which rebounded off Fabian Delph and into the path of Valenica, who fired a low shot past Hart.

Upton Park was rocking after witnessing the second-fastest goal in the Premier League this season but Manchester City responded well with Aguero bringing down Toure's long ball and in one movement lifting the ball over Adrian, only to see it canon back off the post.

City did not have to wait long for the equaliser, with Aguero exchanging passes with Silva before turning Jenkinson, who brought the Argentina international down in the box with a reckless challenge.

Referee Craig Pawson had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Aguero picked himself up off the floor to send Adrian the wrong way to level the scores.

Jenkinson's night was called to an end just four minutes later when an injury meant he was replaced by Byram, who came on for a quicker-than-expected Premier League debut just three days after his switch from Leeds.

The frantic pace of the game continued at Upton Park but we were made to wait until the 34th minute for the next clear-cut chance and it fell to the impressive Dimitri Payet.

The Frenchman, who helped win the free-kick after Valencia was hauled down by Martin Demichelis, curled a left-footed shot over the wall and towards the top corner but Hart got across to to make a world-class save.

Minutes later, Hart was called into action again as Aaron Cresswell's cross looked destined to pick out Valencia at the far post, but the England goalkeeper just got a fingertip to the ball.

After the break Payet was involved again, sending Mark Noble to the byline and he stood up a teasing ball to the far post which Michail Antonio headed inches wide.

Bilic's men were gaining the upper hand but City went close to taking the lead against the run of play in the 55th minute when Fabian Delph's shot beat Adrian but rebounded back off the post.

Moments later, West Ham were back in front. City switched off at Antonio's quick throw-in as Valencia latched onto the ball ahead Nicolas Otamendi to fire the ball past Hart.

West Ham's defence was being pushed deeper and deeper as City searched for an equaliser and with just nine minutes remaining, City substitute Kelechi Iheanacho bundled his way into the penalty and the ball fell to Aguero, who steered it past Adrian.

There was still time for a winner and Aguero fired a shot straight at Adrian, while Kouyate's stoppage-time header clipped the crossbar as Manuel Pellegrini's men escaped with a point.

Player ratings

West Ham: Adrian (7), Jenkinson (5), Reid (7), Collins (7), Cresswell (7), Kouyate (7), Song (7), Antonio (7), Noble (8), Payet (8), Valencia (8).

Subs used: Moses (6), Byram (7), Jelavic (5).

Man City: Hart (8), Sagna (8), Demichelis (6), Otamendi (6), Clichy (7), Toure (6), Delph (6), Navas (6), De Bruyne (7), Silva (6), Aguero (8).

Subs used: Fernando (5), Sterling (5), Iheanacho (6).

Man of the match: Dimitri Payet