Hammers Nail Manchester City

For a game, at least, the home side revived old glories at Upton Park.

Defending Premiership champions Manchester City were ambushed by West Ham in a 2-1 thriller.

The underlying reason behind the Sky Blues' defeat must be related to their European competition. When a tired City side is placed against a determined West Ham in their home, the obvious occurs and the titlists begin to fade.

As shown, Amalfitano notched the easiest goal he'll ever have, thanks to that piercing Enner Valencia cross in the 21st minute.

Diafra Sakho's marker needed the new goal-line technology to confirm it. And City's David Silva's solo effort wasn't enough to avoid the loss.

The Sky Blues were too slow to turn up the heat. Their best came very late during the dying stages, which wasn't enough. City owned everything on the statistics board -- more shots, more possession, more corners, and more accuracy -- but they failed to own the scoreboard.

And that was just hunky dory with comedian Russell Brand, who just couldn't resist his joy when he crossed paths with Hammers' manager Sam Allardyce:

It begs the question what Brand would do if West Ham won a Cup.