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Another fixture in the Premier League, another two players added to the injury list for West Ham.
Matthew Etherington was injured during training ahead of this clash, while Dean Ashton's full name must surely be "Dean Ashton, knee, three to four weeks".
The two sides lined up against each other once again, and again there was little to separate them. Surprisingly, given the weakened line-up and defensive set-up, it was the visitors who opened the scoring. And more surprisingly, it was a spectacular overhead shot from Carlton Cole, following a fine cross from Freddie Ljungberg, that gave West Ham the lead. Less surprisingly, it was a lack of the ability to clear the ball after a corner that lead to the equaliser. And from there, everyone seemed to be waiting for the final whistle, given the midweek Cup clash and heavy pitch.
Cole had a chance to be a two-goal hero right at the death, but a solid header drew a fine save from the CIty keeper, Joe Hart.
Once again, Ljungberg was lively, while the defence was solid, although City didn't ask all that many questions in the West Ham half. The two sides will be happy to see the back of each other, having locked horns four times this season. Two draws and two narrow City wins has been the return. West Ham can be pleased with the point away, given City are unbeaten at home.
Narrow cup losses are the most painful losses of all. There is no chance of redemption, no chance for revenge. Only "what might have been" memories and a long wait for the following cup campaign.
There was very little in this match, just as the sides could not be separated a few weeks before. Both sides started at lightning pace but West Ham looked the better going forward for most of the encounter. Manchester City did not threaten the Hammers' goal very often, thanks to a solid display from defenders Anton Ferdinand, Matthew Upson and the returning Lucas Neill. In the end though, City's Elano dived in to head the winner after a header from Rolando Bianchi had hit the crossbar. The face and hands to the head from Upson said it all: this was a tie there for the taking.
Manager Alan Curbishley must regret his gamble of withdrawing Freddie Ljungberg and replacing him with Frenchman Faubert on the hour. Faubert, slowly returning from an Achilles injury, struggled to get into the match while Ljungberg had looked lively. But see, there we go, that's an example of the "what might have been". What was, is that City go through to the fourth round while West Ham are left to "concentrate on the league".
The stakes are high going into the FA Cup third round replay against Manchester City, but does the West Ham squad have the depth to pass this sizable hurdle?
The winner of this tie travels to Sheffield United, the club that were relegated on the final day of last season and did all it could off the pitch to make West Ham go down instead. The away fans enclosure would be packed with Hammers fans keen to gloat on returning to Bramall Lane as a Premiership side taking on a Championship one. But first we have to get past City.
Hammers boss Alan Curbishley has told the club's website he plans to "shake up" the squad for this fixture and has pointed to the defence as putting in a stellar performance this year, given the number of injuries. One such injured defender is Lucas Neill, who limped off at half time in the 0-0 draw against City a couple of weeks back. The man with the goatee and dimple destined to front Foxtel's funny home videos, Simpsons marathons or celebrity backyard makeovers (the Australian has signed a deal with the Australian pay-TV company) has not lived up to the expectations that come with such a bloated pay packet. Despite the mixed reviews, Neill is available and will probably start in the Cup.
West Ham also play City in the league on Sunday, but perhaps this is an example of the Cup fixture taking precedence over the league clash. With such an injury-hit squad, qualification for Europe via the league looks a long shot, while relegation is something, thankfully, that is not a concern this season. So a Cup run could lift the spirits and a trip to Bramall Lane would earn the club and fans not just a chance to stick it to Sheffield United, but a good chance at a quarter-final berth.
Manchester City are a well-organised and skillful side with a decent home record, but West Ham's away record is pretty impressive also. I fear extra time and penalties but the attractive road ahead will have fans tuning in, perhaps more in hope than belief.
While almost everyone else was watching an entertaining match, most probably Chelsea-Spurs, the Hammers were earning a valuable three points in their English Premier League quest.
This match was more about graft rather than skills and beauty, but there were signs that West Ham could again at least put their hands up to enter beauty contests. One thing of beauty was Freddie Ljungberg, thankfully back from injury and adding some creativity and experience to the midfield. And the second was only on show for the last few minutes. Julien Flaubert made his first appearance for the club since injuring his Achilles in pre-season training. Add to the Frenchman's presence the return of Lee Bowyer, as well as Luis Boa Morte, and there are signs that the high injury toll is finally easing
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Welcome all West Ham United fans ... and everyone else for that matter.
United are not the world's greatest team if trophies in your cabinet is your only guide. Fortunately, there is more to football than winning. There are losing and drawing, for starters
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