How West Ham can use their pace to shock Man City

Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 3.

Match analysis - West Ham v Manchester City

After picking Crystal Palace off with two devastating counter-attacks in a 2-0 success last weekend, West Ham United will feel they have prepared well for a match against the champions.

The Hammers bared their teeth and showed just how much impact they can produce from fast breakaways this season - an ingredient which always gives you a puncher's chance against Man City.

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West Ham's new head coach Julen Lopetegui is smart enough to know that a defensive game plan is necessary, even on home turf. But in Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen he does have two outlets who can take the team upfield at pace.

Relieving pressure and carrying a threat

Out of possession it is not hard to imagine West Ham's 4-3-3 reverting to a low-block 4-5-1 for long periods against Pep Guardiola’s side.

As Lopetegui’s men set out to frustrate, it will be imperative that they retain a compact shape that slows down City’s attacks.

The key to their prospects of landing a decisive blow at the other end of the pitch will depend greatly on the speed and progressive ball-carrying skills of Bowen and Kudus.

Bowen converted brilliantly from a full-pitch counter at Selhurst Park, but across the first two Matchweeks it is Kudus who has travelled furthest with the ball of any Premier League attacker.

Remarkably, he has even completed more successful dribbles than the mercurial Jeremy Doku, who should start for City on Saturday evening.

Kukus, who attempted 10 dribbles at Palace, has already run over 272 metres in a progressive direction while in possession of the ball. That is way ahead of everybody else, so whenever West Ham create a turnover, look out for them feeding Kudus.

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Kudus' dribbling skills v Palace

With Man City right-back Rico Lewis operating very high in City’s first two matches - and often central as an inverted midfielder - there could be opportunities for Kudus to exploit space down the left channel, if the youngster is stranded upfield.

If the West Ham winger can isolate Manuel Akanji in 1v1s it will be an excellent duel to watch.

Lewis's heat and touch map so far this season

Disciplined midfield required

A lot will be asked of Lopetegui’s three-man midfield, and fortunately he has industrious performers to call upon.

It may frustrate some supporters to see Lucas Paqueta play so deep, but the Brazil international is happy to make defensive sacrifices, as are Tomas Soucek and new signing Guido Rodriguez.

Rodriguez will sit at the base of central midfield, screening service into Erling Haaland, with the others ferreting around the middle third looking to break up play.

Their combined defensive chalkboard from the win at Palace, as shown below, indicates how impactful they were at regaining the ball between their own box and the halfway line. West Ham will need to be even better in this department against Man City.

Kilman must learn from Haaland nightmare

Of all the new West Ham signings, Max Kilman has made the biggest impact so far.

He has recorded five interceptions and 13 clearances, while showing a strong physical presence.

The former Wolves man has also carried the ball out from the back with confidence, an attribute that was highlighted by his magnificent run and pass to assist Bowen last weekend.

Kilman's assist v Palace

Kilman may approach the next fixture with a degree of trepidation though.

Back in May, Haaland scored four goals in a 5-1 rout of Wolves, and the centre-back endured a torrid afternoon.

Kilman afforded the Norwegian too much space in the build-up to two of his goals, as well as doing so again in a move which led to Haaland earning a penalty.

Having reflected on that display, you will not see the 27-year-old summer signing (No 23) following Haaland into midfield, as shown below, for fear of being bypassed by a "give and go" of this ilk.

This time, Kilman will focus on defending his 18-yard box, and staying touch-tight to Haaland as often as possible.

As shown across the first two matches, City’s talisman has started 2024/25 in exceptionally sharp form.

It will take a colossal team effort by West Ham to record a second successive clean sheet, and a result that delivers points, but Lopetegui does have the basis of a team that can make life difficult for Man City.

If they can show collective discipline and resilience inside their own half, West Ham's pacy wide men can cause damage when they carry the ball forward.

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