Pep Guardiola revolution picks up pace at Man City

Manchester City 3 West Ham 1: If these are the first, stuttering steps of Manchester City’s new era under Pep Guardiola — and make no mistake, there are still deep flaws in his team as his own touchline antics will testify — then the rest of the Premier League could be in trouble when, and if, the manager ever gets his team playing the way he wants.

For 45 minutes, City were dominant, outplaying the opposition with an ease which had the home supporters in raptures.

But the defensive frailties which were so obvious under Guardiola’s predecessor Manuel Pellegrini were evident in the manner of West Ham pulling to within a goal of their hosts, at 2-1, and only Raheem Sterling’s second goal of the day, in injury-time, finally allowed manager and spectators to relax.