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The usual scenario when Hammers striker Andy Carroll returns from one of his perrenial long term injuries is that he comes back for a couple of games, gets his Mojo back, plays a blinder and then picks up yet another injury, usually a long term one! The process of recovery then begins again as he takes back his permanently reserved place in the Kieron Dyer memorial ward of the club's medical facilities, however Carroll's potential return was temporarily suspended despite him being fit and available for the Manchester City game, was this part of a cunning plan?

Unless you have been unable to see any Barclays Premier League football this season, it would be impossible not to be impressed with the league's runaway leaders style of play. They arrived at the London Stadium and simply took West Ham apart, ironically Hammers did't play poorly they were just blown away! Little more than a Manchester City victory could be envisaged even by the most devoted and hard core of fans ahead of the match, but did they have to have it handed to them on a plate?

West Ham United: Fabianski, Zabaleta, Balbuena, Diop, Masuaku, Obiang, Rice, Diangana, Anderson, Arnautovic, Antonio. Subs: Adrian, Cresswell, Carroll, Noble, Chicharito, Ogbonna, Perez.
Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Delph, Fernandinho, Gundogan, Silva, Sane, Aguero, Sterling. Subs: Muric, Kompany, Stones, Mahrez, Jesus, Zinchenko, Foden.
Referee: Andre Marriner
Assistants: Scott Ledger, Simon Long
Fourth official: Keith Stroud