City’s unbeaten run stretches to 10 games but their toils in front of goal continue, with a goalless draw at Upton Park. Sergio Aguero is handed a sub role yet again, while Andy Carroll draws yet another blank for the hosts:
On the Up
City Defence
This evening’s goalless draw maintained the champions’ recent upturn in defensive resilience. It’s three clean sheets and just one goal conceded in the last four Gameweeks now for Roberto Mancini’s men – the likes of Chelsea and United have one clean sheet apiece in the last six, by comparison.
West Ham Defence
A first clean sheet in six was just rewards for the home side’s resilient efforts. Sam Allardyce will be buoyed by his team’s ability to nullify City’s threat but with Guy Demel still sidelined and James Tomkins missing out through injury, the Hammers boss will be hoping James Collins can shake off a knock which forced him off towards the end, given their upcoming schedule.
Going Down
Sergio Aguero
With a vital Champions League game against Ajax in midweek, Aguero was benched yet again for this evening’s trip to Upton Park. Roberto Mancini started with three of his four forwards and while the Argentine was afforded some game time late on, he has now been omitted from the City first XI in three of the past four Gameweeks – despite his obvious capabilities, Aguero has simply become far too frustrating a Fantasy option right now, with his manager’s up front rotation dramatically curtailing his appeal.
Andy Carroll
His loan move to West Ham, which saw the towering centre-forward reunited with Sam Allardyce, was hailed as the perfect fit. The Hammers’ tactics seemed tailor-made for Carroll, with delivery from wide guaranteed to create chances aplenty in the air but it hasn’t quite transpired as Allardyce would have hoped. Another blank today means Carroll has just one assist in six appearances since making his way to Upton Park.
