Sergio Agüero rescues Man City twice at West Ham

West Ham 2 Manchester City 2

Sergio Agüero scored twice to rescue a point for stuttering Manchester City in a 2-2 draw at West Ham.

The title challengers twice fell behind to goals from Enner Valencia and needed Agüero to bale them out with a penalty and a late equaliser.

Valencia fired the Hammers into the lead after just 55 seconds, and put them back in front early in the second half with City’s defence suffering from brain fade again.

But Agüero came to the rescue to deny West Ham an unlikely double over City this season.

City’s defence has come under scrutiny this season and it failed its first test at Upton Park as West Ham scored with their opening attack.

Cheikhou Kouyate strode past a non-existent challenge from Yaya Toure and into the area before cutting the ball back for Valencia to slam under Joe Hart.

City almost hit straight back when Agüero got round the back of James Collins, his clever lob beating Hammers goalkeeper Adrian only to come back off the inside of the far post.

But moments later Agüero did haul the visitors level after he had been tripped in the area by Carl Jenkinson, coolly sending Adrian the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Right back Jenkinson’s evening came to an end moments later when he limped off injured, meaning a quicker-than-expected debut for new signing Sam Byram just three days after completing his switch from Leeds.

Yet despite having been gifted a route back into the game, City’s galaxy of stars were still being outshone by West Ham’s Dimitri Payet.

One clever reverse pass from the French playmaker sent Michail Antonio racing through, and Martin Demichelis earned himself a yellow card for halting the winger’s dart towards goal.

Payet stepped up to take the free-kick and his powerful, curling effort was destined for the top corner until Hart dived full-length to his left to pull off a world-class save.

After the break another sublime touch from Payet sent Mark Noble scampering to the byline before standing up a tempting cross to the far post which Antonio headed narrowly wide.

City were inches from taking the lead, against the run of play, in the 55th minute when Fabian Delph’s low shot hit the foot of Adrian’s post – and moments later West Ham went back in front.

Antonio’s quickly-taken throw-in, of all things, caught the City defence napping and Valencia brushed off Nicolas Otamendi’s feeble challenge before prodding the ball past Hart.

However, with 10 minutes remaining and West Ham defending deeper and deeper, City substitute Kelechi Iheanacho ran unchecked into the area. His shot rebounded into the path of Agüero who was able to steer the ball past Adrian.

Even then West Ham could have stolen the victory but Kouyate’s stoppage-time header from Noble’s free-kick clipped the crossbar, and City escaped with an unconvincing point.

Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid to fight for John Stones next summer

Real Madrid and Barcelona have joined Chelsea and Manchester City in the race to sign Everton defender John Stones in the summer transfer window. The 21-year-old is regarded as one of the most promising defensive prospects in the country and has attracted interest from clubs across Europe.

The Daily Mail has reported that Rafa Benitez was a huge fan of the player and wanted him at Madrid before being sacked. However, the Spanish giants have maintained their interest and may look to sign him should their transfer ban be repealed. Barcelona are also interested in him, but the £50m ($71m) fee being touted for his services may prove too much for the Catalan club.

In the Premier league, Chelsea are Stones' biggest admirers, having had a £38m ($54m) bid rejected for the player last summer. The Blues' insistence led Stones to hand in a transfer request, but Everton manager Roberto Martinez refused to let him leave, something that has worked in the defender's favour this season, as the defending Champions are struggling in the league.

Manchester City are also interested, with Vincent Kompany struggling to stay fit while Eliaquim Mangala, Nicolas Otamendi and Martin Demichelis have flattered to deceive at the back. City have shown that they are willing to pay top dollar for good English talent as has been the case with Fabian Delph and Raheem Sterling last summer.

Everton have maintained that Stones is not for sale at any price but are likely to be more willing to sell to a Spanish club than anyone in England's top flight when an offer comes their way. The defender is expected to make the England squad and travel to France for the European Championships later this year.

The defender has been earmarked as a likely replacement for John Terry while Barcelonacentre-back Gerard Pique has waxed lyrical over the player's defensive nous in a recent interview.

Manchester City Must Solve Vincent Kompany's Calf Problem

Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany has withdrawn from the Belgium squad for their games against Italy and Spain because of a calf problem.

It’s the latest setback for the 29-year-old, who has suffered 26 muscle injuries in the last three and a half years—11 of which have been calf issues.

It is thought to be a minor problem, but it offers yet another reminder of his susceptibility to muscle complaints—a huge concern for ManuelPellegrini who continually has his influential captain taken from him during his periods on the sidelines.

It comes on the back of last month’s club vs. country row that sawKompany play for an hour of Belgium’s win over Israel despite having missed City’s previous five games.

Belgium manager Marc Wilmots chose to ignore the letter City sent advising him not to pick Kompany, a move that clearly angered Pellegrini who chose not to select the defender for the subsequent games against Bournemouth and Sevilla.

Kompany’s importance to City has been underlined further this season with a string of excellent displays. The Blues have kept seven clean sheets in their 12 league games and Kompany has been involved in all of them.

He brings organisation and leadership, as well as remarkable athleticism, pace and strength. When he’s been absent this season, City’s defence has, at times, looked poor, but with him they have looked solid.

Kompany has been building up a superb partnership with NicolasOtamendi, the club’s summer signing from Valencia, with their performances against Manchester United, Norwich City and Aston Villa catching the eye.

The Argentinian had looked somewhat shaky in his first few games, butKompany’s return to the side saw the £32 million signing begin to show his best form.

Both play in an aggressive manner, with some suggesting they are perhaps too similar in style to complement one another, but the early signs have been extremely positive for Pellegrini.

The City boss finally has some strength in depth at centre-half, withEliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis also fighting for a first-team place.

But solving Kompany’s tendency to contract muscle injuries should be a priority for City medical team.

It’s been a continual problem for City, and Pellegrini appears to have little in the way of detailed explanation as to why it keeps happening.

“Vincent plays with 100 per cent intensity, not just every game but every training session,” Pellegrini said prior to City’s recent match with West Ham United. 

“That’s the way he always works.

“It’s difficult [for him to ease off]. It is not easy for him. He tries sometimes not to be always 100 per cent intensity, but you cannot change.

“It is always important [not] to have injured players, especially the captain and especially in a moment when we didn’t concede any goals in the first five games. I think it is important to carry on playing with the same names, but I always say we have a squad.”

With City making progress on three fronts this season, and with the FA Cup set to be added to their schedule in the new year, they need a healthy squad with their best players fit and available if they want to compete for silverware. 

So far this season, Pellegrini has coped well with the debilitating injury list he's faced, but he needs his captain to remain fit. 

He is vital in ensuring defensive stability, and something must be done to get to the bottom of his calf troubles. 

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter RobPollard.

Football Paper Talk

All the best football stories from Saturday's papers, as Arsenal are linked with Napoli star Jorginho.

DAILY STAR

Arsenal are plotting a January swoop for Napoli star Jorginho after sending scouts to watch the Brazilian in action.

Meanwhile, the Gunners are considering a move for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Marseille have put a £35m price-tag on the head of star striker Michy Batshuayi, who has been linked with a move to January window move to Arsenal.

Everton look set to become the latest Premier League club to fall into American hands.

THE SUN

Manchester United are confident that Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo would choose them over Chelsea if he returns to the Premier League.

West Ham and Watford are tracking Roma's £8m-rated Ivory Coast striker Seydou Doumba, 27, who has scored eight goals on loan at CSKA Moscow.

Wolverhampton Wanderers want to sign Yoan Gouffran on loan from Newcastle United. The Frenchman is currently out of favour at St James' Park.

Martin Demichelis is set to leave Manchester City during the January transfer window and return to Argentina to join Buenos Aires outfit Rosario Central.

DAILY MIRROR

Bournemouth have been alerted to the possibility of a loan move for former Manchester City and Southampton forward Bradley Wright-Phillips

Philippe Coutinho scored twice as Liverpool beat Wolves 3-2 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Melwood. The Brazilian headlined a strong Reds line-up, with compatriot Roberto Firmino also on target.

DAILY EXPRESS

Arsenal have been given fresh hope of signing long-term transfer target William Carvalho after his contract talks with Sporting stalled.

West Ham have lodged a bid of £16m for Roma striker Seydou Doumbia, who has also attracted interest from Watford, according to reports in Italy.

DAILY MAIL

Adnan Januzaj's frustration at Borussia Dortmund is set to continue after the club's sporting director claimed the season-long loan from Manchester United will not end early.

Michael Carrick looks set for another long injury lay-off after suffering suspected ankle ligament damage during England's 2-0 defeat to Spain.

Cristiano Ronaldo has no intention of eventually slowing down in America because he wants to retain his 'dignity'. The Real Madrid forward, 30, claims he has another 'six or seven years' at the top.

Real Madrid and Barcelona had detailed scouts to check on Jamie Vardy until injury ruled him out of England's friendly against Spain in Alicante.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Manchester United are set to swoop for Southampton stars Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle.

Paper Talk: Gunners track midfield duo, Hammers’ £16m bid

Arsenal have been given fresh hope of signing William Carvalho and again had Jorginho watched, West Ham have bid £16m for Seydou Doumbia, while Martin Demichelis is set to leave Manchester City.

GUNNERS GIVEN CARVALHO HOPE AND HAVE JORGINHO WATCHED

Arsenal have been given fresh hope of signing long-term transfer target William Carvalho after his contract talks with Sporting stalled.

The 23-year-old, who was born in Angola but has 13 caps for Portugal having moved there as a child, has been linked multiple times with the Gunners as they seek a defensively-minded central midfielder.

Arsenal’s hopes of signing the player were also given a boost when, earlier this year, the player described the Gunners as his ‘dream club‘.

The move, however, had looked dead in the water as Carvalho enter talks to seal a four-year deal with the Portuguese club, where he has been since joining at the age of 13 in 2005.

But according to Portuguese sports newspaper A Bola, contract negotiations, which have already been drawn out over salary and contract length, have hit yet another stumbling block – given fresh hope that the player could be tempted by a move to Arsenal.

The Gunners are clearly intent on strengthening their midfield – be it in January, or next summer – with Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini and Tomas Rosicky all expected to leave the Emirates.

Another reported Arsenal, meanwhile, is Napoli midfielder and the Daily Express claims the Gunners have once again sent scouts to watch the Brazilian in action for Napoli.

The player has been linked with a move to the Gunners since the summer, but his agent was coy recently when the subject of a possible move to Arsenal came up.

HAMMERS LODGE £16M DOUMBIA BID

West Ham have reportedly lodged a bid of £16million for Roma striker Seydou Doumbia, who has also attracted interest from Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham.

The Ivory Coast international was one of Europe’s most in-demand strikers in the summer but opted to move on loan to CSKA Moscow.

That was despite reported interest in him from the Premier League.

And Football Italia claim West Ham will now beat them all by cutting his loan spell short and landing him in the January transfer window.

Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is understood to be keen on adding a new forward to his squad when the transfer window opens.

With Andy Carroll’s future at Upton Park uncertain, they might need new faces and Doumbia appears to fit the bill.

Since moving fro Russia, the 27-year-old has hit five goals this term.

English football fans caught a glimpse of the man who could arrive on these shores in Moscow’s Champions League clashes with Manchester United.

He scored in the 1-1 draw in Russia and was impressive again in the return game at Old Trafford, which United won 1-0.

DEMICHELIS SET FOR JANUARY CITY EXIT

Martin Demichelis is set to leave Manchester City during the January transfer window and return to Argentina to join Buenos Aires outfit Rosario Central.

Demichelis, 34, has fallen down the City pecking order following the arrival at the Etihad Stadium of fellow Argentine Nicolas Otamendi from Valencia in the summer.

Demichelis is currently fourth-choice centre-back in Manuel Pellegrini’s plans, with Vincent Kompany, Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala all ahead of him in the battle for a spot in the City starting XI.

The experienced defender is entering the final six months of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and, according to The Sun, could decide to return to his homeland after 12 years in Europe with Bayern Munich, Malaga and City, who signed him just two months after he had joined Atletico Madrid on a free transfer.

Rosario are in the market for a new defender with Alejandro Donatti expected to leave the club for a move to Europe in January.

Rosario coach Eduardo Coudet is a big admirer of Demichelis, having played alongside him while they were both together at River Plate, and hopes to persuade his former team-mate to join the club in January ahead of the Copa Libertadores starting in February.

He has made just one start in the Premier League this season, with his three other starts coming in the Capital One Cup and the Champions League.

AND THE REST

– Zinedine Zidane has stepped up Real Madrid’s bid to crowbar yet another player out of the Premier League by revealing his admiration for Chelsea forward Eden Hazard (Daily Mirror)

– Marseille have put a £35m price-tag on the head of star striker Michy Batshuayi, who has been linked with a move to January window move to Arsenal and Chelsea (Daily Star)

– Wolves want to sign Yoan Gouffran on loan from Newcastle United. The Frenchman is currently out of favour at St James’ Park (The Sun)

– Arsenal are considering a move for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka (Daily Star)

– Adnan Januzaj’s frustration at Borussia Dortmund is set to continue after the club’s sporting director claimed the season-long loan from Manchester United will not end early (Daily Mail)

– Cristiano Ronaldo has no intention of eventually slowing down in America because he wants to retain his ‘dignity’. The Real Madrid forward, 30, claims he has another ‘six or seven years’ at the top (Daily Mail)

– Manchester United have sounded out Valencia wide man Sofiane Feghouli over a possible move (Metro)

– Real Madrid and Barcelona had detailed scouts to check on Jamie Vardy until injury ruled him out of England’s friendly against Spain in Alicante (Daily Mail)

Man City title-winner ready for January exit… move home expected

Martin Demichelis is set to quit Manchester City in January and return to Argentina to join Rosario Central, according to reports from ESPN.

The 34-year-old followed manager Manuel Pellegrini to the Etihad Stadium from Malaga in 2013 – via a short spell at Atletico Madrid – and, despite some shaky initial showings, he became a cult hero among the Citizens’ supporters as the club clinched the Premier League title.

However, his game time was reduced last year as the Sky Blues struggled to keep pace with Chelsea, and he’s since been out of the XI altogether for the bulk of the current season following the arrival of Argentine compatriot Nicolas Otamendi.

And reports claim that the veteran centre-back, whose contract is set to expire in just over six months’ time, is ready to move home, with Rosario Central the side leading the race.

The South American side are thought to see ageing star as a good replacement for Alejandro Donatti, who is expected to head to Europe in 2016.

Demichelis has enjoyed 12 years plying his trade outside of his home nation, spending time with Bayern Munich, Malaga and City after leaving River Plate as a youngster and has been capped 49 times at senior international level.

Man City transfer rumours: Martin Demichelis and Samir Nasri targeted

Manchester City pair Martin Demichelis and Samir Nasri are wanted men according to reports.

Manchester City stars Martin Demichelis and Samir Nasri are being linked with moves away from the Etihad.

Demichelis has effectively found himself as fourth-choice centre-back following the arrival of Nicolas Otamendi and the improved form of Eilaquim Mangala this season.

Nasri has found opportunities similarly hard to come by in midfield due to a combination of injury and the signing of Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne.

Demichelis, 34, is being linked with Argentine club Rosario Central in his home country.

Reports suggest that Rosario coach Eduardo Coudet, who played alongside Demichelis at River Plate, wants the Blues centre-half to fill the gap created by Alejandro Donatti's predicted departure.

Nasri said at the start of the campaign that he intended to fight for his place butCalciomercato.it report that both Juventus and Inter Milan are considering bids for the Frenchman who has only made one City start this season.