David Silva scored a late goal as runaway leaders Manchester City won their 13th successive Premier League game and restored their eight-point lead with a 2-1 victory over West Ham.
Manchester City midfielder David Silva. Photo: All Rights Reserved
Silva converted Kevin de Bruyne's brilliant pass from close range in the 83rd minute as City maintained their blistering form this season.
Nicolas Otamendi had converted substitute Gabriel Jesus's cross in the 57th minute to equalise after defender Angelo Ogbonna had headed West Ham into the most unlikely lead at the end of a first half in which the hosts dominated.
In winning their 13th successive Premier League match, City equalled the record held by both Arsenal and Chelsea.
"It was difficult, teams seem to come here and get every man behind the ball, not interested in anything but parking the bus," City midfielder Fabian Delph told Sky Sports.
"But we have players like David Silva in the team, so we knew if we kept going we'd get our chances. We knew we had to be patient, we came out flying in the second half, we tried to explain to the boys we still had time and then we started to relax a bit more and found those spaces.
"We want to win the derby but we are taking it each game at a time."
City have not lost a game since April, and face second-place rivals Manchester United next Sunday. West Ham, who have won only twice all season, sit 19th - three points behind West Bromwich Albion in 17th.
Earlier, Southampton's Charlie Austin was on target again as the Saints drew 1-1 with south coast rivals Bournemouth.
Bournemouth's Ryan Fraser curled home the opener in the 42nd minute of an even first half after Southampton defender Wesley Hoedt was guilty of overplaying and was dispossessed by Joshua King.
Southampton began to dictate proceedings after the break and the in-form Austin - who scored a brace against Everton last weekend - restored parity with a smart finish from substitute Nathan Redmond's low cross in the 61st minute.
Austin, who has scored seven goals in his last 10 league starts, twice had chances to win it for Southampton while Bournemouth substitute Callum Wilson was unable to control a loose ball with the goal at his mercy.
"Going in at halftime 1-0 down we were not good enough in the first half but we stepped up in the second and looked like we were going to nick it," Austin told Sky Sports.
"Instead it's a point away from home going into a big December. I should have scored a near-post header but these things happen. I was still in the right place at the right time."
-Reuters
