Haaland double sees City go top with win over West Ham | OneFootball

Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League with a commanding 3-0 victory over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium.

City wasted little time asserting their authority, taking the lead inside five minutes. Erling Haaland pounced on a rebound after Alphonse Areola had blocked Phil Foden’s initial effort, slotting home to put the hosts ahead.

From there, the hosts dominated possession, patiently probing West Ham’s defence and keeping the Hammers pinned in their own half.

Their pressure paid off again just before half-time. Rayan Cherki intercepted possession high up the pitch and fed Haaland, who cleverly laid the ball off to Tijjani Reijnders. The midfielder drifted into the box and smashed a crisp strike into the roof of the net to double City’s advantage. West Ham offered little in response and reached the break without a single shot on target.

The Hammers came out with slightly more intent after the interval, with Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen testing Gianluigi Donnarumma.

However, City soon regained full control, keeping the ball and forcing Areola into a couple of crucial saves, including one from Savinho.

Haaland wrapped up the scoring in the 69th minute, reacting fastest to a scramble in the area to smash home his second and City’s third. 

The Norwegian striker nearly completed a hat-trick late on, but a low effort narrowly missed. 

The win gives City a one-point lead over Arsenal at the top of the table, though Mikel Arteta’s side can reclaim pole position if they beat Everton later on Saturday. For West Ham, it was another difficult outing, leaving Nuno Espirito Santo’s men with plenty to ponder over the festive period.