Manchester City beat West Ham United and kept a clean sheet as Aymeric Laporte returned to the starting eleven. The 25-year-old had been out of action with a knee injury that caused him to miss City’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur (February 2), but he was back on Wednesday night and impressed alongside Nicolas Otamendi as the Citizens won 2-0.
West Ham failed to register a shot on target at the Etihad Stadium and only had three chances over the 90 minutes. Robert Snodgrass started upfront with Michail Antonio, but the pair failed to create one opportunity, won just one aerial duel and completed only 23 passes between them. Is it any coincident Laporte has kept a clean sheet in each of his last three Premier League appearances?
Happy with the win, clean sheet 🚪❌ & the goal (I think we all agree I touched it before it entered ?) 😂😂 #ThanksRodriForTheAssist pic.twitter.com/heMjgvuwfj
— Aymeric Laporte (@Laporte) February 19, 2020
You bossed it out there, Aymeric. 💙
— Sankalp (@sankalp17399) February 19, 2020
Great game Aymeric. Let's keep it going! 💙
— Aditya (@MCFC__Adi) February 19, 2020
You are amazing!
— Carlos (@CarIosOntiveros) February 19, 2020
Solid again mate👊🏻
— Paul Davis (@PDBLUEMOON) February 19, 2020
Best defender in the world! 💙👑
— Andrea Noviello 🇳🇱 (@Andrean06_MCFC) February 19, 2020
This season every time you play we’ve kept a clean sheet..it good to have you back king Laporte.💙💪🏽🙌🏽💯
— Mlungisi Masuku (@MlungisiMasuku8) February 19, 2020
Best defender in the world💙
— Ridz (@Ridz18_) February 19, 2020
The confidence it gives me as a City fan having Laporte back in our defence. What a man #MCFC
— ManCityzens (@ManCityzenscom) February 19, 2020
Good to Laporte back resulting in a clean sheet. Thought Bernie was decent tonight and hopefully that shook the rust off. Wouldn’t have KDB, Sergio or Aymeric anywhere near the field on Saturday – the Cups are where the action is for us this season #mcfc
— Lee Bromfield (@LeeBrom) February 19, 2020
Laporte and clean sheets 💎 #MCFC
— Tsaki Ntini 🌸 (@TeemoraRara) February 19, 2020
Against West Ham, Laporte played for 64 minutes, made 61 touches, completed 98.3% of his 58 passes, found a teammate with two of his three long balls and drew one foul. He was assured at the back and composed in possession and has now shut out four sides in six league outings. Laporte spent six months out of action and showed fans what they’ve missed in his absence.