Manchester City vs West Ham player ratings: Sergio Aguero secures win as Riyad Mahrez struggles to shine

Pep Guardiola's side kept pace with Liverpool to remain just one point behind the league leaders

Mahrez failed to shine once again (Action Images via Reuters)

Sergio Aguero’s second-half penalty kept Manchester City within a point of Premier League leaders Liverpool as the champions clinched a hard-fought 1-0 win over West Ham.

The Hammers, under the charge of former City manager Manuel Pellegrini, frustrated the hosts for an hour at the Etihad Stadium as the exertions of winning the Carabao Cup at the weekend perhaps took their toll.

But substitute Bernardo Silva reinvigorated the City attack and the Portuguese earned the spot-kick from which the prolific Aguero made no mistake, tucking home his 25th goal of the season.

City deserved their victory having dominated the game and created numerous chances, and Pep Guardiola was pleased with his side’s efforts come the final whistle.

But Pellegrini, who won the title with City in 2014, was frustrated with the penalty decision and disappointed his side’s dogged defending was not rewarded.

Player ratings

Manchester City

Ederson – 7

Relatively little to do bar the important save from Carroll at 0-0, which he palmed away from his top right-hand corner.

Danilo – 7

A threat marauding out from right-back and still fulfilled his defensive duties, though final ball could be improved.

Vincent Kompany – 7

Not still at City on sentiment alone. With John Stones and Aymeric Laporte absent, Kompany proved he can provide adequate cover with a comfortable display at centre-half.

Nicolas Otamendi – 6

Was rarely threatened, like the rest of the City defence, but allowed Lanzini to dance around him too easily in the build-up to the Carroll chance.

Oleksandr Zinchenko – 8

Impressive. Made several key tackles to turn possession over and lively with the ball at his feet down the left.

Ilkay Gundogan – 6

Provided adequate cover for the injured Fernandinho without offering as much energy and drive as the Brazilian does.

David Silva – 6

Always a threat around the penalty area but will rue missing two golden opportunities to score, having turned one against the post and seen another cleared off the line.

Kevin De Bruyne – 7

Slowly returning to his best after an inconsistent, injury-ravaged campaign so far. Moments of brilliance mixed in with his usual hard graft.

Riyad Mahrez – 5

Appears short on form and confidence. His understanding with De Bruyne requires work, as several mistimed runs in behind demonstrated.

Sergio Aguero – 6

A relatively quiet evening for Aguero but still scored his 25th goal of the season, albeit from the penalty spot.

Leroy Sané – 6

Struggled to find space down the left against the excellent Fredericks and was substituted at the start of the second half.

West Ham

Lukasz Fabianski – 8

Only really called into action in the second half and coped well with much that was thrown at him, though sent the wrong way for the penalty.

Ryan Fredericks – 8

A hard but fair early tackle on Sané set the tone for the full-back’s evening as he shut down the City winger effectively, leading to Sané being substituted.

Issa Diop – 7

Kept Aguero quiet for long spells and did particularly well in the first half but became slightly overwhelmed as City went through the gears.

Angelo Ogbonna – 7

Not quite as convincing as Diop but together, they shackled Aguero well early doors and Pellegrini can have few complaints with his defence.

Ben Johnson – 6

Making his senior debut in the unfamiliar role of left-back and inexperience told a little as City targeted him, but Mahrez struggled to get the better of him.

Pedro Obiang – 7

Broke up play well tackling and intercepting. Offered some moments of adventure in possession.

Declan Rice – 6

Highly-rated midfielder also disrupted City’s rhythm in midfield but could have been tidier with the ball at his feet.

Felipe Anderson – 5

Culpable for the penalty, no matter how soft the decision might have been, and otherwise ineffective.

Samir Nasri – 4

Like Pellegrini, returning to his former club for the first time, but was a largely anonymous presence until being hooked at half time.

Michail Antonio – 6

Used his frame better than Carroll to tussle with City’s defenders but, on a difficult night for the visiting attack, it would not be enough.

Andy Carroll – 5

Struggled to hold the ball up and bring others into play, which was surely why he was selected.

Additional reporting by PA