Manchester City 3 West Ham 1

WEST HAM were tormented by two former players as they were soundly beaten by mega-bucks Manchester City at Eastlands in a result that sees them remain in the bottom three.

Carlos Tevez, who played a vital role in the Hammers' Premier League survival three seasons ago, netted twice either side of the break, while Craig Bellamy, who made an acrimonious departure from Upton Park to the blue side of Manchester in January, was instrumental throughout.

Carlton Cole did briefly manage to haul the visitors back in the game with a goal midway through the first half to cancel out Tevez' early strike, but ultimately they were outplayed by their hosts.

Gianfranco Zola dropped the season's brightest new arrival Zavon Hines to the bench, as Luis Jiminez - returning from injury - and Alessandro Diamanti were deployed wide of frontman Cole.

City have made an exceptional start to the campaign and they begun in equally impressive fashion today, Tevez flicking in Martin Petrov's cross after just five minutes. The Argentinian refused to celebrate in front of the Hammers faithful and instead held up an apologetic hand to the vocal away support.

One sensed that the hosts would take control after that point, as Tevez could easily have had a hat-trick in the opening 15 minutes, but he missed the target twice when well-placed.

However, West Ham hit back through Cole, as he managed to cleverly turn in Radoslav Kovac's shot into the box after Diamanti's wicked delivery into the area was poorly dealt with by City.

The riposte was short-lived, though. The excellent Petrov capped his performance with a goal, the ball deflecting in from a free-kick.

The Hammers should have levelled the match again, but Cole was controversially adjudged to have fouled Joleon Lescott in the build-up before squaring for Scott Parker, who guided the ball into the net.

That proved a crucial moment, as the game was then put to bed on the hour mark, Tevez allowed far too much space at the back post and he made no mistake, nodding the ball past the helpless Robert Green.

City threatened to add to their tally, but there were a couple of bright moments for the Hammers, with Diamanti twice going close with fierce shots, while Cole headed over from the Italian's cross.