City suffered their second loss of their title defence on saturday as West Ham maintained their strong form and stunned City with a 2-1 victory. "We had a lot of chances to score but it is difficult to win if you don't take them," Pellegrini said. "We have 80 points left to play for...We will continue fighting because there is no title being handed out at the moment."

City started brightly, with Aguero punching a hole in the home defence with a powerful run from halfway before seeing a deflected shot scrambled away by West Ham's keeper Adrian.

Silva then sent a free-kick on to the roof of the net and Vincent Kompany headed over as the visitors threatened to overrun Sam Allardyce’s side.

But for all the early pressure they exerted, City’s play lacked fluency and West Ham gained a foothold in the game when they were able to service Sakho and Valencia, who showed they had the ability to stretch the visiting back-line.

The combination of the front pair almost brought an opening goal when Sakho’s headed flick almost released his forward partner behind Kompany.

That proved to be only a temporary let-off for City, who were undone in the 22nd minute when Song’s excellent through ball released Valencia whose low cross was turned home by Amalfitano from close range.

Valencia should have given West Ham a bigger half-time lead but failed to connect properly with a shot from eight yards just before the break. Moments later an inventive set-piece move presented Allardyce’s side with another chance but Collins could not apply a decisive touch.

City came back to life in the dying seconds of the half and almost nicked an equaliser, only for Adrián to make a fine save from Agüero from close range.

After the break, City finally started attacking as Adrian was forced to make an excellent save at the hour mark by Aguero. Four minutes later, the Argentine was again in the thick of action as he struck the post from six yards following some excellent play from Toure and Navas.

Despite City's spell of dominance, with Toure also hitting the bar in the 73rd minute, it was West Ham who again scored through Sakho, who powered a header past Hart after connecting with Aaron Cresswell's deep cross in the 74th minute.

City were finally able to pull a goal back in the 77th minute through Silva, who curled a delightful effort past Adrian after getting past a couple of West Ham defenders.

The Citizens pressed on for an equaliser in the closing stages of the match, with Toure finding the side netting and Jovetic forcing another save from Adrian, but West Ham held on to secure all the three points.

Photo: Action Images

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