Enner Valencia netted two goals but West Ham United had to settle for a point after Sergio Aguero's late equaliser denied the Hammers another famous victory over Manchester City.
A pulsating game saw the Hammers lead twice, only for City's talisman to deny the hosts a thrilling victory in what was a wonderfully breathless game played out under the Boleyn Ground floodlights.
Valencia fired home two confident finishes, netting in the opening minute before Aguero levelled from the penalty spot. The Ecuador forward put West Ham back in front from Michail Antonio's superb long throw early in the second half, only for his fellow South American to snatch a point nine minutes from full-time.
Earlier, Slaven Bilic's side had made the dream start, with the No11 continuing his recent hot streak by netting after just 55 seconds.
Cheikhou Kouyate showed great skill to burst past Yaya Toure down the left-hand side before crossing the ball for Valencia, who made no mistake, firing a low shot past Joe Hart.
Valencia's goal was the second quickest in the Premier League this season, with only Bournemouth's Matt Ritchie beating it by scoring against Tottenham Hotspur after just 49 seconds.
City could have been back on level terms on six minutes after a quick free-kick over the top was well controlled by Aguero, who lobbed over Adrian and the ball hit the inside of the post.
The danger signs were clearly there and the two-time Premier League champions drew level a few moments later after they were awarded a penalty after Aguero was brought down inside the box by Carl Jenkinson.
The Argentine forward picked himself up and slotted the spot-kick low to Adrian's right as the Spanish keeper dived the wrong way.
There was more bad news for the home side as Jenkinson was forced to leave the action on 13 minutes through injury – suffered to his left leg in challenging Aguero for the penalty – allowing new signing Sam Byram to make his debut at right-back.
The Hammers could have taken the lead on 33 minutes after Michail Antonio had been set clear by Dimitri Payet but he was brought down by Martin Demichelis. The home support felt the City defender should have received more than a yellow card as Antonio seemed to be through on goal, but referee Craig Pawson deemed a booking as the appropriate punishment.
From the resulting free-kick Dimitri Payet saw his curling free-kick superbly saved by Hart in the City goal, who produced a sensational save with one hand to push the ball away.
The teams went in level at the break after an outstanding opening half, but if anything the second period was even better...
City started arguably the stronger after the break and hit the woodwork once again on 55 minutes when Fabian Delph broke clear into the area and saw his left-foot shot clip the far post.
The visitors were made to pay as Valencia added his second of the game for the home side just a minute later. Antonio's quickly-taken long throw-in caused all kinds of problems for Nicolas Otamendi, who failed to hold off the challenge of the Ecuador forward and Valencia struck the ball past Hart.
The Hammers could have added a third on 65 minutes when Alex Song fired a shot inches past the post.
The game continued to flow this way and that, with Manuel Pellegrini throwing on a number of forwards in the hope of turning the game around again, and it was that man Aguero who got on the scoresheet once again to make it 2-2 on 81 minutes.
City substitute Kelechi Iheanacho caused all kinds of problems inside the Hammers penalty area and, as defenders made desperate challenges, the ball fell to Aguero who struck the ball into the bottom corner.
The last chance of the game fell to Kouyate, as Payet's free-kick landed on his head inside the box, but the ball bounced off the top of the crossbar and over to Hart’s relief. With that, Mr Pawson brought a fabulous game of football to a close.
The Hammers had to settle for a point but it was another impressive performance and the players will be full of confidence as they prepare for the Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie against Liverpool next Saturday.
West Ham United: Adrian, Jenkinson (Byram 13), Collins, Reid, Cresswell, Song, Noble ©, Kouyate, Antonio (Moses 65), Payet, Valencia (Jelavic 87)
Subs not used: Randolph (GK), Ogbonna, Obiang, Oxford
Booked: Noble, Byram
Goals: Valencia 1, 56
Manchester City: Hart, Sagna, Demichelis, Otamendi, Clichy, Toure, Delph (Iheanacho 76), Navas (Sterling 67), De Bruyne, Silva (Fernando 83), Aguero
Subs not used: Caballero (GK), Zabaleta, Fernandinho, Tasende
Booked: Demichelis, Toure, Fernando
Goals: Aguero 9 (pen), 81
Referee: Craig Pawson
Attendance: 34,977 (2,997 away)
A pulsating game saw the Hammers lead twice, only for City's talisman to deny the hosts a thrilling victory in what was a wonderfully breathless game played out under the Boleyn Ground floodlights.
Valencia fired home two confident finishes, netting in the opening minute before Aguero levelled from the penalty spot. The Ecuador forward put West Ham back in front from Michail Antonio's superb long throw early in the second half, only for his fellow South American to snatch a point nine minutes from full-time.
Earlier, Slaven Bilic's side had made the dream start, with the No11 continuing his recent hot streak by netting after just 55 seconds.
Cheikhou Kouyate showed great skill to burst past Yaya Toure down the left-hand side before crossing the ball for Valencia, who made no mistake, firing a low shot past Joe Hart.
Valencia's goal was the second quickest in the Premier League this season, with only Bournemouth's Matt Ritchie beating it by scoring against Tottenham Hotspur after just 49 seconds.
City could have been back on level terms on six minutes after a quick free-kick over the top was well controlled by Aguero, who lobbed over Adrian and the ball hit the inside of the post.
The danger signs were clearly there and the two-time Premier League champions drew level a few moments later after they were awarded a penalty after Aguero was brought down inside the box by Carl Jenkinson.
The Argentine forward picked himself up and slotted the spot-kick low to Adrian's right as the Spanish keeper dived the wrong way.
There was more bad news for the home side as Jenkinson was forced to leave the action on 13 minutes through injury – suffered to his left leg in challenging Aguero for the penalty – allowing new signing Sam Byram to make his debut at right-back.
The Hammers could have taken the lead on 33 minutes after Michail Antonio had been set clear by Dimitri Payet but he was brought down by Martin Demichelis. The home support felt the City defender should have received more than a yellow card as Antonio seemed to be through on goal, but referee Craig Pawson deemed a booking as the appropriate punishment.
From the resulting free-kick Dimitri Payet saw his curling free-kick superbly saved by Hart in the City goal, who produced a sensational save with one hand to push the ball away.
The teams went in level at the break after an outstanding opening half, but if anything the second period was even better...
City started arguably the stronger after the break and hit the woodwork once again on 55 minutes when Fabian Delph broke clear into the area and saw his left-foot shot clip the far post.
The visitors were made to pay as Valencia added his second of the game for the home side just a minute later. Antonio's quickly-taken long throw-in caused all kinds of problems for Nicolas Otamendi, who failed to hold off the challenge of the Ecuador forward and Valencia struck the ball past Hart.
The Hammers could have added a third on 65 minutes when Alex Song fired a shot inches past the post.
The game continued to flow this way and that, with Manuel Pellegrini throwing on a number of forwards in the hope of turning the game around again, and it was that man Aguero who got on the scoresheet once again to make it 2-2 on 81 minutes.
City substitute Kelechi Iheanacho caused all kinds of problems inside the Hammers penalty area and, as defenders made desperate challenges, the ball fell to Aguero who struck the ball into the bottom corner.
The last chance of the game fell to Kouyate, as Payet's free-kick landed on his head inside the box, but the ball bounced off the top of the crossbar and over to Hart’s relief. With that, Mr Pawson brought a fabulous game of football to a close.
The Hammers had to settle for a point but it was another impressive performance and the players will be full of confidence as they prepare for the Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie against Liverpool next Saturday.
West Ham United: Adrian, Jenkinson (Byram 13), Collins, Reid, Cresswell, Song, Noble ©, Kouyate, Antonio (Moses 65), Payet, Valencia (Jelavic 87)
Subs not used: Randolph (GK), Ogbonna, Obiang, Oxford
Booked: Noble, Byram
Goals: Valencia 1, 56
Manchester City: Hart, Sagna, Demichelis, Otamendi, Clichy, Toure, Delph (Iheanacho 76), Navas (Sterling 67), De Bruyne, Silva (Fernando 83), Aguero
Subs not used: Caballero (GK), Zabaleta, Fernandinho, Tasende
Booked: Demichelis, Toure, Fernando
Goals: Aguero 9 (pen), 81
Referee: Craig Pawson
Attendance: 34,977 (2,997 away)