MAN CITY 3, WEST HAM UTD 0: Hughes delight as City regroup

Micah Richards has been released from hospital following a sickening aerial collision with Manchester City team–mate Tal Ben Haim.

The England defender was left concussed after the clash a minute into the second half of yesterday’s 3–0 victory over West Ham.

Fears about a neck injury have been allayed following a scan. But he looks certain to miss the UEFA Cup match against FC Midtjylland in Denmark on Thursday.

City regrouped against West Ham – who had Mark Noble sent off in the first half – with new recruit Vincent Kompany moving seamlessly into defence from midfield.

Hughes saw his side go on to record a comfortable victory thanks to brace from Elano after Daniel Sturridge had made the breakthrough.

With owner Thaksin Shinawatra and members of his family looking on, City bounced back from the defeat by Aston Villa to put themselves in good heart for the European game.

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley – who revealed the club had accepted a bid from Sunderland for defender Anton Ferdinand – was again without a number of key men through injury but was disappointed at the way his side caved in during the second half.