Manchester City's Carlos Tevez (C) vies for the ball against West Ham's Radoslav Kovac (L) and James Tomkins during their English Premier League match in Manchester on Monday.SD-Agencies

 

CARLOS TEVEZ scored twice and Manchester City outclassed his former team, beating West Ham 3-1 Monday night.

The Argentina striker struck after five minutes and headed in Craig Bellamy’s free kick in the 61st.

Tevez’s goals were his first in the Premier League since joining as part of a recent US$200 million spending spree and gave City its fifth win in its opening six matches — the club’s best start to a season since 1961.

City is now fifth in the standings, three points behind leaders Manchester United and Chelsea but has played a game less.

“Carlos was great — his movement and interchange with Craig Bellamy, Martin Petrov and the midfield guys,” City manager Mark Hughes said. “As the season progresses, that will get better. Carlos is an outstanding footballer. He has an awareness, an understanding of where others are and the way in which he can affect the game. With players of that ilk you have a heady mix.”

While Carlton Cole canceled out Tevez’s first goal, Martin Petrov, making his first start this season, restored City’s lead with a free kick before the break.

Hughes also got a glimpse of how another attacking option will fit in at Eastlands.

Roque Santa Cruz, the offseason recruit from Blackburn, came on in the second half to make his first appearance after finally recovering from knee surgery.

“All night Carlos and Craig (Bellamy) were a real handful for the opposition, they couldn’t handle them,” Hughes said. “It was hard for West Ham to stop them from having an influence because their movement and energy was outstanding.”

By contrast, West Ham is in the relegation zone with just four points after six matches.

“I am angry with myself and the team,” manager Gianfranco Zola said. “I do not think anyone, including myself, is giving, or doing, what they are capable of. It is as simple as that. I expect much more.”

But there was a muted celebration from Tevez to his first league goal for City against the side he helped avoid relegation in 2007. It was in stark contrast to Emmanuel Adebayor’s raging run toward Arsenal fans after scoring for City against his old club earlier this month.

(SD-Agencies)