City were left to `concentrate on the league' after the Hammers
grabbed a late winner at Upton Park this afternoon. With McKenzie out
with a hamstring injury it was left to Huckerby and Jonson to lead the
line, with Bentley and Brennan offering the width beside Helveg and
Francis in the centre. At the back, City's apparent first choice
defence lined up with Charlton, Fleming, Doherty and Edworthy in front
of Green.

In contrast to many recent performances, City actually started this
game quite slowly, and it was the home side that had the better of the
early exchanges. Greeno was certainly the busier `keeper although he
could only stand and watch as about ten players had a little scrimmage
in the six yard box before ref Uriah Rennie finally ended the fun for
a foul on Charlton.

Away from Upton Park, City were busy agreeing terms with hotshot Crewe
striker Dean Ashton, and it was easy to see why as City failed to
convert any of the chances that fell their way. Indeed, with a little
more clinical finishing Huckerby could have walked away with the match
ball. Instead, he forced two good saves from close range and saw
another shot come back off a post after racing clean through. Jonson
also went close a couple of times, Bentley should have done better
with first-half header and Brennan had a good attempt well saved.

But perhaps it was inevitable that long-term City target Marlon
Harewood would have the last word. The chance came after Mulryne (on
for the injured Bentley) mis-controlled and allowed Chadwick to run
down the right wing. Unchallenged, Chadwick was able to take his time
and pick out Harewood, who had found a little space in front of Doherty.

This will hardly go down as an `upset', and in the end the result may
actually be to our advantage - the old adage of concentrating on
league makes a lot of sense when your squad is as stretched as ours
is. MLS