Elano scored a double as Manchester City trounced 10-man West Ham United 3-0 in the Premiership clash at the City of Manchester Stadium on Sunday.

The first half produced no goals as City were denied twice by the woodwork, even as they dominated the proceedings. Hammers were down to 10 men in the 38th minute when Mark Noble was sent off.

In the second half, the Eastlands club cruised along with a goal from striker Daniel Sturridge setting them on their way to their first league win this season, before a fine brace by attacking midfielder Elano.

The home side began in an attacking fashion and Hammers keeper Robert Green had to make an important intervention early into the game. The England international raced off his line to thwart Sturridge after Elano had sent a superb pass.

There was frantic action in the Hammers area in the 15th minute when a goalmouth scramble saw Calum Davenport and Carlton Cole in the thick of action. City were denied twice as Ireland’s shot was half –stopped on the line before Tal Ben-Haim saw his attempt ricochet off the cross bar.

City were again frustrated as the frame work prevented Hammers from falling behind when in the 22nd minute Martin Petrov’s curling left-foot strike ratted the goal-post with Green only hoping that would be the case as he had not even made an attempt to stop it.

The ever menacing Sturridge and Ireland linked up in the rival area, with the Hammers seemingly at sixes and sevens with the continuing pressure. However, Sturridge’s final effort was off-target.

The visiting side suffered an injury blow at the half-hour mark with striker Cole limping off. He was replaced by Freddie Sears. Their problems were compounded in the 38th minute when midfielder Noble was sent off after double booking. Already booked for a handball, his lunging tackle on Michael Johnson saw Howard Webb producing the second yellow and red card – the first one for the 2008-09 season.

Green came up with the best save of the first half in the injury time as he palmed away Johnson’s powerful strike from the edge of the area.

City’s stand-in captain Micah Richards picked up a head injury early into the second half and had to be replaced by Dietmar Hamann as boss Mark Hughes made a tactical switch with new-signing Vincent Kompany filling in the defensive role.

The England international collided with new-signing central defender Tal Ben Haim after a total lack of communication, and came out worse in the clash of heads going for the same ball. He was conscious though when he received attention from the medical staff on the pitch for around six minutes before being stretchered off.

After a pall of gloom at the Eastlands due to Richards injury, City had their best period of the game getting three goals in 11 minutes.

Sturridge scored his first goal in the Premiership this season and also put City ahead with a terrific finish from the box in the 66th minute. He was involved in the build-up and after Matthew Upson could only clear Petrov’s cross as far as the 18-year-old, the City striker blasted the ball into the roof of the net.

Elano made it 2-0 in the 70th minute after Vedran Corluka sent in a long ball into the box for Ireland to control and set up the Brazilian, who put a fine finish to beat Green from eight yards. Six minutes later, Elano scored with a first-time volley from the centre of the area as the same three players combined again for City.

Alan Curbishley’s side had their first notable chance to make a shot at goal in the injury time, but Dean Ashton’s free-kick from 25 yards dipped past the cross bar. As such, it was a poor performance by the Londoners, who failed to work City keeper Joe Hart in the match.

Teams:

Man City: Joe Hart, Vedran Corluka, Micah Richards (Dietmar Hamann 55), Tal Ben Haim, Michael Ball, Steven Ireland, Michael Johnson, Vincent Kompany, Martin Petrov (Kelvin Etuhu 77), Elano Blumer (Ched Evans 77), Daniel Sturridge.

Substitutes not used: Kasper Schmeichel, Gelson Fernandes, Felipe Caicedo, Javier Garrido.

West Ham: Robert Green, Valon Behrami, Calum Davenport, Matthew Upson, Lucas Neill, Julien Faubert, Scott Parker, Mark Noble, Matthew Etherington (Luis Boa Morte 74), Dean Ashton, Carlton Cole (Freddie Sears 31) (Hayden Mullins 46).

Substitutes not used: Jan Lastuvka, Lee Bowyer, Jordan Spence, Kyel Reid.