City have struggled on the road under Manuel Pellegrini, with defeats to Cardiff City and Aston Villa, while they could only draw at Stoke City last month.

Those results had left them in danger of falling off the pace at the top of the Premier League, with their home form just keeping them in the picture.

However, they turned on the style at Upton Park on Saturday as Sergio Aguero - who scored twice - and David Silva earned them a 3-1 victory, something Richards admitted was much needed.

"It's about time we did it," he told Sky Sports. "It was a bit nervy when it went to a 2-1, but we got there in the end.

"Silva and Aguero were outstanding.

"It was pretty tough at times, it was tough to pick a man out at times, we had the majority of the ball."

The win moved, City's fifth of the campaign, leaves them fourth, three points behind leaders Arsenal.