Manuel Pellegrini: Manchester City are not over-reliant on Sergio Aguero

West Ham had the first real chance of the second period, but Michail Antonio could only head wide of the post after meeting an excellent cross from Mark Noble, who had been set-up by the impressive Payet.

“We have a hard game against a very good team”, said Pellegrini. At the back James Collins has been superb and West Ham are actually unbeaten at home since losing to Bournemouth back in August.

Both teams continued to make the most of their offensive chances throughout the first half.

Manchester City are favourites for the game because of the talent throughout their squad.

The result put West Ham in sixth spot with 36 points from 23 games, just six behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Valencia’s right-footed shot beat City goalkeeper Joe Hart to the center of the net. It looked like a red for City player Martin Demichelis, but I’d like to see it again.

West Ham’s manager believes his disappointment when reaching the dressing room after their 2-2 draw with Manchester City proves how well they played.

Aguero came close to levelling the scores in the seventh minute, but his effort from a wide angle hit the post. We wanted the three points and we didn’t get them, but we will take the positives.

Writing in his column for the London Evening Standard, Hammers boss Bilic said: “Basically it appears now that it’s a three-way race between our opponents tomorrow, plus Arsenal and Leicester City”. Pellegrini said: “We must try to arrive as soon as we can at the top of the table. I hope he continues like this because he is a top player”.

He said: “Now I realise the slightest discomfort and I won’t risk myself, as happened to me for the home game against Sunderland in December”.

“The Premier League is so demanding that you can’t play at 80 per cent. I’ve tried to do that before and that’s when I’ve injured myself”, added Aguero, who has scored 13 goals in all competition this season.

“Obviously as I get back to full fitness, the goals will start to flow”.

With Manchester City looking to draw their second equalizing goal of the game, Manuel Pellegrini brought on Raheem Sterling and youngster Kelechi Iheanacho to bring some more offensive firepower. Payet has been their best player and has stepped up in big games with two assists in their three away wins to Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City.