Five Things Learned: Manchester City 3-0 West Ham (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League temporarily with a controlled and convincing 3–0 home win over West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium.

The scoreline reflected both City’s attacking sharpness and the growing authority with which they are navigating the winter period of the title race. It was a demonstration of a team rediscovering its edge at a critical stage; the pressing was sharper, attacking roles clearer, and the reliance on Erling Haaland increasingly complemented by contributions from others.

Haaland set the tone inside five minutes, reacting quickest after his initial effort was saved to put City ahead for the 10th time this season. City dominated possession and territory from then, and their superiority was rewarded again shortly before half-time when Haaland turned provider, slipping the ball to Tijjani Reijnders – who finished emphatically to double the lead.

West Ham briefly threatened after the break through Jarrod Bowen, but his miss proved costly. City regained full control, and Haaland struck again after a defensive mix-up – his second of the afternoon and his 104th Premier League goal, moving him past Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally in significantly fewer games.

The win made it five Premier League victories in a row, seven across all competitions, and took Manchester City up to 37 points – piling pressure on Arsenal for another gameweek as Mikel Arteta’s side went on to defeat Everton away from home.

Here are our Five Things Learned from Manchester City’s performance against West Ham on Saturday afternoon!

Erling Haaland’s output is no longer just goals

Erling Haaland’s two goals will dominate headlines, but this was also a performance that underlined how his all-round contribution has evolved within Manchester City’s system. The opening goal was classic Haaland: quick reaction, physical dominance, and ruthless finishing. But the second – Tijjani Reijnders’ strike – highlighted something more subtle.

City’s attacking shape frequently saw Haaland dropping a yard deeper than West Ham’s centre-backs expected. When Rayan Cherki drove into the box and slid the ball to him, Haaland did not force the shot. Instead, he shifted it calmly into Reijnders’ path, recognising the higher-value chance – an action rooted in game intelligence rather than instinct.

By the time Erling Haaland scored his second, the contest was already drifting beyond West Ham’s reach. The goal itself, arriving after defensive confusion and loose clearances, was emblematic of the pressure Manchester City apply when opponents are stretched and mentally fatigued. Haaland’s presence accelerates that fatigue. Centre-backs cannot switch off, even momentarily.

For Manchester City, this matters in the title race. They are not reliant on Erling Haaland merely finishing moves; he is now a central reference point around which others operate with confidence.

City’s pressing structure is approaching peak efficiency

One of the fascinating aspects of the first half was Pep Guardiola’s visible frustration in the early stages. Nearly 20 minutes passed before his first animated gesture, an eternity by his touchline standards. That restraint was earned.

Manchester City’s press was aggressive, compact and well-coordinated. Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland led the first line with genuine intensity, forcing West Ham into hurried clearances or sideways passes. Behind them, Phil Foden and Nico stepped high to close passing lanes, while the back line held a confident, advanced position.

The result was territorial suffocation. West Ham were reduced to hopeful diagonals and speculative set-piece deliveries. Their only first-half effort came from a wide Jarrod Bowen angle, more an act of defiance than a genuine chance.

This level of collective pressing has not always been present this season, particularly during periods when City were forced into frequent defensive changes. Here, with a more settled structure, the press looked unified rather than reactive – a key reason why West Ham never found a foothold in the game.

Tijjani Reijnders’ confidence is becoming a necessity

Tijjani Reijnders’ goal was significant beyond its immediate impact on the scoreline. It represented a visible shift in a player who has often looked caught between responsibility and hesitation in the early months of his Manchester City career.

Before scoring, Reijnders had already experienced familiar frustration: a promising position, a moment’s indecision, and a chance gone. When the goal arrived, it came not through overthinking but through instinct. Two sharp touches, a decisive movement across the defender, and a finish driven high into the near corner.

That matters because Pep Guardiola’s current Manchester City side needs a third consistent scoring threat beyond Erling Haaland and Phil Foden. With Kevin De Bruyne no longer there to provide a guaranteed end product from midfield, the burden must be shared.

Reijnders’ positioning just off Haaland, particularly with Foden drifting left, allowed City to attack with layers rather than a single focal point. After his goal, his body language changed. He played with more authority, demanded the ball, and recycled possession with greater assurance.

For Manchester City’s long-term balance, Tijjani Reijnders converting moments into numbers is not a luxury. It is becoming a requirement.

Rayan Cherki’s freedom is redefining City’s creativity

Rayan Cherki’s performance will not be measured in goals or assists alone, but his influence on the rhythm of Manchester City’s attacking play was unmistakable. Cherki operated with licence, drifting between lines and attacking defenders directly.

His footwork in tight spaces repeatedly drew West Ham players out of shape. For Tijjani Reijnders’ goal, he eliminated multiple defenders with quick changes of direction before releasing the ball at precisely the right moment. It was creativity born of confidence rather than structure.

What has shifted in recent weeks is Cherki’s defensive contribution. His pressing was diligent, his recovery runs consistent, and his willingness to contest second balls set a tone for those around him. That balance between freedom and responsibility is what Guardiola demands from his attacking midfielders.

When Cherki was withdrawn just after the hour mark, it was not a reflection of his performance but an example of game management. City were in control, and Guardiola used the moment to refresh energy levels. Cherki had already done his job.

Control, not spectacle, is City’s defining trait right now

Despite leading 2–0 at half-time, Pep Guardiola’s comments afterwards reflected dissatisfaction with certain aspects of Manchester City’s ball circulation. That may seem contradictory, but it speaks to the standards underpinning this run.

City were dominant, but not flawless. There were moments early in the second half when they allowed West Ham too much space, culminating in Jarrod Bowen’s missed chance. Guardiola’s visible reaction to that lapse underlined his concern about complacency, a theme that has surfaced in previous matches where City have been punished.

The response, however, was immediate and decisive. A triple substitution re-energised the side, the tempo increased, and Erling Haaland’s second goal extinguished any lingering doubt. From that point on, City managed the game professionally, protecting their clean sheet and controlling territory rather than chasing further goals recklessly.

This was City in pragmatic mode. They did not need spectacle. They needed points, momentum, and physical preservation. All three were delivered.

With injuries still affecting key areas, City nevertheless look formidable. Their ability to impose control early, punish mistakes, and manage games late is once again becoming a defining feature. As Arsenal look over their shoulder, the familiar pattern is emerging.

Manchester City are not chasing form. They are setting it.