Given Manchester City’s recent success and West Ham’s continuing struggle to get a grip on mid-table Premier League football at the very least, it’s no wonder there haven’t been many memorable meetings between the two in recent times.
Most came before City hit the jackpot in August 2008, when the sides were more evenly matched both on and off the playing field.
But with their Capital One Cup Semi-Final promising to provide a feast of memories for either side, here’s ten Manchester City v West Ham matches that have caught the eye over the years…
1. Manchester City 1-2 West Ham – FA Cup 6th Round – 20th March 2006
It was an FA Cup meeting to remember for the Hammers as they booked their place in the FA Cup Semi-Finals for the first time since 1991.
Dean Ashton put the visitors in front just before half-time before doubling the Hammers’ lead with 20 minutes remaining with a brilliant solo effort that beat City keeper David James at the near post.
Kiki Musampa pulled a late goal back for City, but Alan Pardew’s men held on to progress.
2. West Ham 1-1 Manchester City – Premier League – 9th May 2010
With Premier League safety already secured for the Hammers and no chance of a top-four finish for City, this meeting on the final day of the season was set up to be a meaningless affair.
But it remains in the memory for most West Ham fans as the day they witnessed the heavily criticised Luis Boa Morte score his maiden Upton Park goal on his first appearance following a year out with injury.
Boa Morte’s goal came in just the 17th minute, but City were level just five minutes later when Shaun Wright-Phillips secured a point for Roberto Mancini’s men.
3. West Ham 1-0 Manchester City – Premier League – 1st March 2009
With City still getting used to life as one of the world’s richest clubs, the Hammers continued their impressive Premier League season with a surprising win at Upton Park.
A Jack Collison goal in the 71st minute was enough to secure all three points for the Hammers against a City side that included the likes of Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Nigel De Jong and Robinho.
4. Manchester City 2-1 West Ham – Premier League – 1st January 1996
West Ham goalkeeper Neil Finn made his professional debut for the Hammers at Maine Road in this Premier League clash on New Year’s Day – it also proved to be his last ever appearance for West Ham.
Niall Quinn put the hosts in front after just 20 minutes, but Iain Dowie appeared to have rescued a point for the Hammers with 15 minutes remaining.
But City were back in front just five minutes later when Niall Quinn netted his and City’s second to ensure the Citizens began 1996 with a victory.
5. Manchester City 3-0 West Ham – Premier League – 24th August 2008
Just days before Manchester City’s fortunes would change dramatically, Mark Hughes’ men made easy work of a poor West Ham side.
In a game that saw Vincent Kompany make his City debut, West Ham had Mark Noble sent off in the first half for a second bookable offence. A goalless draw looked like the only outcome until Daniel Sturridge opened the scoring just after the hour.
Then Brazilian midfielder Elano netted a six-minute brace to give City an impressive 3-0 victory at the City of Manchester Stadium.
6. West Ham 3-0 Manchester City – Premier League – 17th December 1994
Harry Redknapp’s West Ham gave Hammers fans an early Christmas with a comfortable 3-0 victory over City at Upton Park.
Tony Cottee netted twice in the first ten minutes before rounding off his hat-trick shortly after the break to give West Ham all three points as they approached the busy fixture schedule over the festive period.
7. Manchester City 1-5 West Ham – Division 1 – 21st March – 1970
West Ham arrived at Maine Road ready to show off new signing Jimmy Greaves following his move from Tottenham Hotspur.
And the Hammers new boy failed to disappoint with two goals. Ronnie Boyce had opened the scoring for the visitors before Greaves’ double, and then Sir Geoff Hurst netted a brace of his own to secure an emphatic 5-0 win for West Ham.
8. Manchester City 0-1 West Ham – Premier League – 27th April 2003
This proved to be West Ham’s last visit to Maine Road before City moved into the City of Manchester City stadium.
City boasted a side full of Premier League favourites, including Peter Schmeichel, Nicolas Anelka and Robbie Fowler, but they couldn’t prevent the Hammers coming away with all three points.
The game looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw before Hammers substitute Frederic Kanoute popped up in the 81st minute for the winner to improve West Ham’s chances of Premier League survival.
9. Manchester City 1-0 West Ham – FA Cup 3rd Round Replay – 16th Jan 2008
Following a goalless first leg, extra-time and penalties looked more and more likely at the City of Manchester Stadium.
But Brazilian midfielder Elano netted the winner with an impressive strike mid-way through the second-half to book City’s place in the FA Cup fourth round.
10. West Ham 0-2 Manchester City – Premier League – 11th August 2007
Following a summer of spending from Manchester City and new boss Sven Goran-Eriksson, there were few people who thought he could make his new look City team gel quickly enough.
But all it took was a trip to East London on the opening day of the season to prove the doubters wrong.
Debutant Roland Bianchi opened the scoring in the 18th minute and fellow City new boy Geovanni wrapped up all three points with three minutes remaining to give Goran-Eriksson the best possible start to life at City.
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