What West Ham United and Man City fans did in unison on 30 minutes was simply beautiful to see at the London Stadium.
West Ham showed they can give the best teams on the planet a real game as they took on Manchester City at the London Stadium.
The Hammers took a 1-0 first half lead against Man City’s Harlem globe-trotters thanks to James Ward-Prowse’s diving header.
It came after a period of brilliant sustained possession and one of the clinical counter attacks David Moyes’ side are becoming known for again this season.
At the other end Man City created some dangerous chances but West Ham stood firm in what was a masterclass of organised defensive solidity.
What West Ham and Man City fans did in unison on 30 minutes was simply beautiful to see at the London Stadium
Within 40 seconds of the first half that was undone as Jeremy Doku – a West Ham target during the summer transfer window – had the Hammers retreating onto their own goal line as he curled home to make it 1-1.
West Ham rallied and were desperately unlucky to go 2-1 down before Erling Haaland added his obligatory goal and polish to the scoreline as it ended 3-1 to Man City.
One of the moments of the match came just half an hour into the game, though.
What West Ham and Man City fans did in unison on 30 minutes was simply beautiful to see at the London Stadium.
‘We (both) know what we are…’
The match between Moyes’ side and Pep Guardiola’s treble winners was billed the clash of the European champions after the Champions League and Europa Conference League glory both tasted back in June.
And on 30 minutes West Ham and Man City fans – who have always enjoyed a relationship of mutual appreciation down the years – stood together and chanted ‘Champions of Europe we know what we are’ repeatedly.
It was a wonderful moment for West Ham fans to share with supporters who – while spoilt rotten in the modern era – have, like them, spent decades living in the shadows of their more illustrious rivals.
This was a day in the sun for both clubs to remember their European glory.
And while Man City ended up getting the result most anticipated from the game, the Hammers made them take the scenic route and showed this team can do good things this season.