West Ham United v Manchester City
Premier League, London Stadium, Sunday 15 May 2022, 2pm BST
West Ham United bid the fondest of farewells to homegrown hero, long-serving, record-breaking Club captain Mark Noble on Sunday afternoon.
The midfielder will play his final home game after nearly 18 years, before hanging up his boots, when Manchester City visit for our final Premier League fixture at London Stadium.
While the day will be charged with emotion and tinged with sadness as Noble prepares to retire, there is still plenty to play for for David Moyes' squad as a whole.
West Ham kick-off the penultimate weekend of the 2021/22 season seventh in the table, three points behind Manchester United in sixth, but with a far better goal difference and a game in hand on the Red Devils. A point would all but secure seventh, with Wolverhampton Wanderers five points behind the Irons, but with a far worse goal difference.
Sixth would mean UEFA Europa League football again next season, while seventh would see West Ham go into the UEFA Conference League for the first time.
Manchester City, meanwhile, go into the weekend top of the table. Pep Guardiola's side are three points clear of Liverpool in second, with both clubs having two games left to play.
The reverse fixture at Etihad Stadium was played at the end of November and ended in a 2-1 win for Manchester City, despite Manuel Lanzini's outstanding late goal.
Previously, West Ham defeated Manchester City in the EFL Cup third round, winning 5-3 on penalties following a goalless draw in 90 minutes.
Ticket news
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Farewell Mark Noble
West Ham United will bid a fond and emotional farewell to Mark Noble before and after Sunday's game.
Before kick-off, the long-serving skipper will be introduced to the crowd, with fans in the Billy Bonds Stand creating a 'NOBLE 16' mosaic to welcome the iconic midfielder into London Stadium.
After the final whistle, a Guard of Honour will be formed by the players and staff, who will then take a lap of the London Stadium pitch to give supporters an opportunity to thank Mr West Ham for his unforgettable 18-year career in Claret and Blue.
Sir Trevor Brooking will also lead a ceremony in honour of the soon-to-be-retired skipper, while we will also play exclusive video tributes on the big screens.
You are also invited to take a selfie with one of the life-size images of our captain at London Stadium and upload them - as well as any other other photos you have of yourself with Noble - to social media with the hashtag #MN16.
Official Programme
The 116-page Official Programme for Mark Noble's final home game as a West Ham United player is on sale now!
We've got exclusive interviews with the man himself, Mr West Ham Mark Noble, plus the managers, coaches and players who knew him best during his 18 years as a Hammer.
We also look back with Noble's former Evening Standard column ghostwriter Ken Dyer, and include features on the Programme and teamsheet from the midfielder's debut all the way back in August 2004.
It's not all about our soon to be retired No16, though, as we've also got season reviews from our U23 and U18 sides and the latest from the Women's team.
And another famous central midfielder, 1964 FA Cup final matchwinner Ronnie Boyce, completes another season of West Ham Scrapbooks in style.
With exclusive columns from David Sullivan, David Gold and David Moyes, plus a guide to Pep Guardiola's table-topping visitors, too, there is something for everyone in the Official Programme!
*For UK addresses only. Postage and Packaging £3.49 for Europe/£6.49 for Rest of the World
Update on supporter access to London Stadium
West Ham United can provide an update to supporters on their access to London Stadium for the remainder of the 2021/22 season, following the Government’s easing of COVID-19 Autumn and Winter Plan B restrictions.
In line with the latest Government guidance, COVID passes will no longer be a condition of entry to Premier League matches.
Supporters will no longer be required to complete a health declaration form before the match, nor present any form of COVID certification on matchday.
West Ham United, the Premier League and its clubs continue to urge fans to follow public health guidance to keep each other safe on a matchday, including wearing face coverings when indoors or in crowded areas.
A Code of Conduct remains in place and is updated to reflect the latest changes in Government and Premier League guidance. As COVID-19 restrictions ease, it is vital supporters continue to do all they can to minimise the risk of passing on COVID
Supporters should note that stadium access processes continue to remain subject to change, in line with changes to COVID protocols or guidance issued by the Government, Premier League and SGSA.
Travel news
Supporters are advised to check their journeys before travel, with resources such as TfL's Journey Planner or the TfL Go app helping to avoid some essential works across the transport network. Supporters may also wish to visit the National Rail website to plan their journey if traveling on the rail network.
There are some service disruptions that supporters should be aware of on Thursday 28 April:
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- Ockendon line - Due to Network Rail undertaking overhead line work between Grays and Pitsea, these services will start/terminate at Grays. Rail replacement buses will run between Grays & Pitsea via Tilbury.
- Rainham line - Due to Network Rail undertaking overhead line work between Barking and Grays, services WILL NOT RUN. Rail replacement buses will run between Upminster and Grays via Rainham. Ticket Acceptance is in place for passengers travelling to/from Dagenham Dock, who may use TfL bus routes EL2 or 287.
- Basildon line - Due to Network Rail undertaking engineering work between Barking and Liverpool Street, services will be diverted to start from / terminate at London Fenchurch Street and will call additionally at West Ham. Passengers in possession of a valid rail ticket and travelling to / from Stratford may use the London Underground Jubilee Line between West Ham and Stratford at no extra charge. London Liverpool Street Station is a short walk away from London Fenchurch Street Station.
Greater Anglia
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Due to platform extension work, Greater Anglia West Anglia services will not serve Stratford all day. Greater Anglia West Anglia services will be diverted into London Liverpool Street via Hackney Downs. No services will operate between Meridian Water and Stratford all day. Customers for Stratford should change onto Greater Anglia mainline and Southend Victoria services between London Liverpool Street and Stratford; customers travelling to / from Lea Bridge should use TfL buses between Lea Bridge and Stratford / Hackney Downs.
London Overground
- Between 0900 and 1430, a reduced service will operate. The following trains will not run from Barking to Gospel Oak: 0903, 1033, 1203 and 1333 The following trains will not run from Gospel Oak to Barking: 0954, 1124, 1254 and 1424.
Northern line
- There is no service between Charing Cross and Battersea Power Station/Stockwell, or between Euston and Battersea Power Station/Stockwell, via Bank. There is no service between Moorgate and Kennington due to major upgrade works. London Buses Route 733 will operate between Moorgate and Oval via Bank, London Bridge, Borough, Elephant & Castle and Kennington on Monday to Friday.
How can I follow the game?
Kick-off on Sunday is 2pm BST, with the game being broadcast live on television by Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Ultra HD in the UK. Please check your local TV listings if you live outside the UK.
We will also be covering the game live with a blog and audio commentary on whufc.com and our Official App and across our social media channels, with goals, highlights and exclusive reaction to follow after the final whistle.
Team news
Mark Noble will play the final home game of his West Ham United career should he feature on Sunday. The 35-year-old midfielder ranks joint-sixth on the Club's all-time appearance list with 548.
Saïd Benrahma is a doubt after suffering an ankle injury in the 4-0 win at Norwich City last weekend.
Michail Antonio and Craig Dawson were also replaced at Carrow Road, but manager David Moyes said on Friday that both trained in full and should be available.
For Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has some concerns in defence, where Kyle Walker, John Stones, and Ruben Dias are definitely out, while Aymeric Laporte and Fernandinho were both forced off during the midweek win at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The opposition - Manchester City
When Manchester City’s EFL Cup reign was ended by West Ham United here back in October, today’s visitors would still have harboured hopes of winning at least one major trophy this season.
But fast forward six months and City now need to win the Premier League title to avoid failing to lift a single piece of silverware for the first season since 2016/17.
Leicester City edged Pep Guardiola’s side out in the Community Shield last August, Liverpool ended their FA Cup hopes in the semi-finals in April, while Real Madrid’s dramatic late comeback ended City’s hopes of winning a first-ever UEFA Champions League title at the same stage eleven days ago.
All that means City need to hold off the challenge of a fast-charging Liverpool to retain their Premier League title and be crowned champions of England for the fourth time in five seasons – albeit their fate is very much in their own hands with two games to play.
While the cup competitions have ultimately brought only disappointment to Etihad Stadium, the Premier League has brought almost nothing but elation.
City have lost just three Premier League matches all season, scored at an average of over three goals per game and conceded just 22 times in 36 games – statistics you would expect to see them top the table.
But such is the quality of their great rivals, FA Cup vanquishers and Champions League finalists Liverpool that Guardiola and his players know they need four points from their two remaining fixtures to keep the Premier League trophy from heading down the M62 to Anfield.
Whatever happens in the closing week of the 2021/22 season, City’s achievements since Guardiola was appointed six summers ago have been nothing short of stupendous.
Of the 350 matches the Spaniard had overseen, City have won 255 and lost just 51, scoring over 850 goals in the process and an average of nearly two-and-a-half goals a game.
The Spaniard has led City to no fewer than eight major trophies, including three Premier League titles, but the Champions League crown still eludes them.
The defeat by Real Madrid – Guardiola’s great rival as a player with Barcelona – the week before last was the latest in a series of painful exits from Europe’s premier club competition, with the Spaniards scoring twice in second-half added time before completing a come-from-behind 6-5 aggregate victory in extra-time.
The pain of that exit will no doubt still be felt in the Away dressing room this afternoon, but it will also provide even more incentive for Guardiola and his players to avenge their EFL Cup defeat here at London Stadium and remain on course for another Premier League title – and another crack at the Champions League.
Previous meetings
West Ham United and Manchester City meet in the Premier League for the 42nd time on Sunday.
City have had the best of things down the years, winning 25 of the 41 meetings between the two, while West Ham have won just nine, with seven draws.
West Ham's best Premier League result against City was a 4-1 win at the Boleyn Ground on 11 November 2000.
And the Hammers avoided a home Premier League defeat by City for the first time in five attempts last season, when the pair drew 1-1 in October 2020, with Michail Antonio on target for David Moyes' side.
Match officials
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Assistant Referees: Gary Beswick & Adam Nunn
Fourth Official: Graham Scott
VAR: John Brooks
Assistant VAR: Simon Long
Born in Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester in October 1978, Anthony Taylor has been a member of the Select Group of Referees since 2010.
Taylor started refereeing in the Northern Premier League from 2002 to 2004 before quickly working his way up through the National League and EFL to reach the Premier League in February 2010.
He refereed the EFL Cup final between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium in 2015 – the same year he was promoted to the FIFA List.
He later took charge of the 2015 FA Community Shield, 2017 and 2020 FA Cup finals between Arsenal and Chelsea, the 2017 FA Cup final between the same two clubs, the 2018 Championship Play-Off final between Fulham and Aston Villa.
The 43-year-old refereed the 2020 UEFA Super Cup final between Bayern Munich and Sevilla, and has been busy again this term, officiating four UEFA Champions League games and 25 Premier League fixtures.
Taylor has refereed West Ham United on 31 previous occasions, including three Premier League fixtures this season.