Match Officials: Paul Tierney to Referee Manchester City vs West Ham
The Premier League has confirmed that Paul Tierney will take charge of Manchester City’s clash with West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Pep Guardiola’s side head into the fixture in strong form across competitions, having sealed a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a controlled 2-0 victory over Brentford in midweek. Goals from Rayan Cherki and Savinho either side of half-time ensured progress and set up a two-legged semi-final tie against Newcastle United in early 2026.
City’s domestic momentum was also underlined by an emphatic Premier League win at Crystal Palace, which came on the back of a morale-boosting UEFA Champions League success away at Real Madrid. Those results have kept the pressure firmly on league leaders Arsenal as the title race intensifies.
Despite the positive results, Guardiola is facing growing selection concerns. Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri have departed for the Africa Cup of Nations, while Oscar Bobb has been ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury against Brentford on Wednesday night.
Match Referee
Paul Tierney has been appointed as the match referee for the encounter. The 44-year-old has overseen nine matches across all competitions this season, although this will be his first Premier League appointment of the current campaign.
Across the Premier League, Football League, and Premier League Cup this season, Tierney has issued 29 yellow cards, awarded five penalties, and has not shown a single red card.
Manchester City are the club Tierney has officiated most frequently in his career. In 31 matches involving the Citizens, City have recorded 27 wins, two draws, and just two defeats, with no red cards shown to City players in those fixtures.
His most recent City match came towards the end of last season, when he refereed the dramatic 4-2 away victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Assistant Referees
Paul Tierney will be supported on the touchlines by assistant referees Richard West and Marc Perry.
Video Assistant Referees
The VAR team will operate from Stockley Park, with Alex Chilowicz appointed as Video Assistant Referee and Dan Robathan serving as Assistant VAR.
Fourth Official
Lewis Smith will act as the Fourth Official, positioned between the dugouts and responsible for managing technical area conduct involving Pep Guardiola and West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
Conclusion
With Paul Tierney overseeing proceedings and City carrying strong momentum into the weekend, the Etihad Stadium is set to host another key chapter in Manchester City’s Premier League campaign. While injuries and absences pose challenges, Guardiola’s side will be aiming to maintain their form, keep pressure on the teams above them, and continue building consistency as the season moves toward its decisive phase.
