West Ham United’s encounter with Premier League champions Manchester City left pundits and fans dissecting the finer details of the match, and former England striker Alan Shearer didn’t mince words when assessing Nayef Aguerd’s role in the build-up to City’s second goal, writes the WHZ. West Ham ultimately succumbed to a 3-1 defeat against the formidable Manchester City side.
Speaking on Match Of The Day, Shearer acknowledged the challenging task facing the Hammers against Pep Guardiola’s team, emphasizing the need to be “at it every single time” in defense. However, Shearer was critical of Aguerd’s contribution in the moments leading up to Manchester City’s go-ahead goal.
At a crucial juncture in the match with the score level at 1-1, Bernardo Silva capitalized on a Julian Alvarez pass into the box. Aguerd’s header attempt narrowly missed the ball, allowing Silva to seize the opportunity and slot the ball past West Ham’s goalkeeper, Alphonse Areola, from close range.
Shearer remarked, “In the way that they defend, you have to be at it every single time. That is difficult in any game, let alone in a game when you’re playing against some top, top-class players. Just enough is not enough against this [Manchester City] team. Poor clearance [by Aguerd], didn’t time his header at all.”
Undoubtedly, Aguerd would be disappointed with the outcome of that pivotal moment. A more precise header would have successfully diffused the danger and given West Ham a fighting chance of securing a positive result from the match.
Throughout the game, Silva proved to be a constant threat, demonstrating his ability to create and exploit opportunities in tight areas. Nevertheless, West Ham’s defense had successfully dealt with challenging situations throughout the match, making the concession of this goal particularly frustrating for manager David Moyes.
Alan Shearer’s assessment underscores the unforgiving nature of facing teams like Manchester City, where defensive lapses can prove costly. To stand a chance against such formidable opponents, a team’s defense must maintain a high level of performance throughout the entire 90 minutes.
While few expected West Ham to secure a positive outcome against Manchester City, especially at home, the Hammers have showcased their resilience this season. Facing the only team to have earned maximum points so far, West Ham has demonstrated its ability to compete. With notable victories over Brighton and Chelsea, David Moyes and his team are poised to face future challenges with confidence.