West Ham United never like playing against Manchester City, but their defeat on Saturday lunchtime at the London Stadium was particularly heavy.
Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick as City ran out 5-0 winners, sending an ominous message. The Reds can only do their own job this season, but, of course, fans will understandably have one eye on how City get on.
Jack Wilshere started for West Ham in their opening game, and post-match, he explained how the two Premier League title favourites compare.
Wilshere said, via the Daily Mirror: “I’m a massive fan of City. I like the way they play and keep the ball but Liverpool play with more intensity and are more direct.
“They don’t have the possession City have, but they are effective. You would go with City [as being the best] because they are the champions. But Liverpool are European champions.”
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Wilshere also said he had told the new West Ham players that they would not face a side better than City this season – though the Reds will be looking to prove him wrong on that.
In the first half, in particular, on Friday night against Norwich, the Reds were sensational. With Adam Lallana and Rhian Brewster not even making the bench, and Sadio Mane only playing a few minutes, there is still much more to come. The Reds face West Ham on December 21.