Manchester City fans are elated after Pep Guardiola named Aymeric Laporte in his starting XI to face West Ham in the Premier League as well as fielding both Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus in attack.
City have cut short their winter break to welcome the Hammers to the Etihad Stadium after chaos caused by Storm Ciara forced last week's game to be postponed.
Liverpool extended their lead over the Blues to 25 points following their narrow 1-0 win against Norwich at the weekend, adding extra importance to the fixture against David Moyes' men. West Ham currently sit in the relegation zone, one point from safety.
Laporte made his long-awaited return from injury to start in the win against Sheffield United at the end of January but didn't feature in any of the three fixtures following.
The Frenchman is back in the side and partners Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of defence.
At the other end of the field, Guardiola will field Jesus on the left with Raheem Sterling out injured.
The Brazilian is without a league goal in his last three Premier League fixtures but fans are glad to see him back on the pitch.
Here is how City fans reacted to the team news on social media:
LAPORTE!!!!
— Sohail (@__s2s9__) February 19, 2020
Aguero and jesus siuuuu
— Gerald (@mahrezinho8) February 19, 2020
Laporte
— Rose. (@RoseMCFC) February 19, 2020
Aguero - Jesus finally
— p_MCFC (@p_MCFC) February 19, 2020
Let’s goooooo @Laporte!!!! Welcome back
— Venom (@venomkb24) February 19, 2020
Laporte is back and playing with 2 stikers again pic.twitter.com/3YzMTs0JI4
— Max (@Maksee_) February 19, 2020
Laporte and Aguero and Jesus up top together?? 5-0 city incoming https://t.co/2Nb3dXjCnH
— JS (@jackstephenss_) February 19, 2020
Man City XI to face West Ham: Ederson, Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Mendy, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, D Silva (C), Bernardo, G Jesus, Aguero.
Subs: Bravo, Stones, Gundogan, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Cancelo, Foden.
