Manchester City 3 West Ham 0:Manchester City were monitoring the progress of Micah Richards after this comfortable victory against 10-man West Ham at Eastlands.

While Elano scored a brace following the opening goal from Daniel Sturridge, the mood of elation was tempered by the injury to the young England defender.

Richards, watched by national team manager Fabio Capello, was left in some distress a minute into the second half after being poleaxed following a collision with team-mate Tal Ben Haim.

He was treated on the pitch for eight minutes before being carried unconscious to the dressing room by a bank of medics.

However he later came round in the dressing room and was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary for further checks.

City regrouped and went on to make their advantage pay after West Ham midfielder Mark Noble was sent off in the 39th minute for two yellow cards.

It was certainly an eventful afternoon for owner Thaksin Shinawatra and members of his family who were in attendance.

It is an important result as well with a UEFA Cup match to come on Thursday against FC Midtjylland in Denmark, where City are looking to overcome a 1-0 deficit.

City regrouped after Richards was carried off and Elano sent a shot into Green's body from the edge of the area after 59 minutes.

They made the breakthrough seven minutes later after a mistake by Hammers defender Upson.

He lost his concentration following a cross from Petrov and his clearance landed at the feet of Sturridge.

The striker took full advantage, hammering a shot beyond Green to put his side in the driving seat.

City went 2-0 ahead in the 70th minute with a cool finish from Elano after he had been set up by Ireland and it was no more than they deserved.

They kept the momentum going and made it 3-0 in the 76th minute thanks to Elano's second goal of the game.

The Brazil playmaker scored with a superb half-volley after again being set up by Ireland to seal a comfortable victory against a West Ham side that looked thoroughly dispirited.

PA