Erling Haaland continued his remarkable form with a hat-trick as Manchester City defeated West Ham 3-1, securing their third consecutive win to start the Premier League season.
The match, played at the London Stadium, had significant implications on the league standings following Arsenal’s earlier slip against Brighton. Haaland put City on the scoreboard with a penalty after Jack Grealish was fouled, establishing an early lead.
West Ham briefly battled back, equalizing through Max Cornet, who capitalized on a defensive error. However, Haaland quickly restored City’s advantage with a second goal before halftime, showcasing his clinical finishing. He then completed his hat-trick early in the second half with a precise shot.
Despite West Ham’s efforts to challenge, including a header from Tomas Soucek, City dominated the match and secured the victory.
After the game, manager Pep Guardiola praised Haaland: “You have to let him do what he wants. He played fantastically well today.”
Haaland’s performance has solidified his status as the standout player in the Premier League, with him already contributing significantly to City’s title defense.
Opta Stats:
- Haaland has scored seven goals in the opening three matches of the season, more than any other player.
- Manchester City remains unbeaten in 17 Premier League matches against West Ham under Guardiola, with 15 wins and 2 draws.
- West Ham has not won at home against City in their last 10 Premier League encounters.
As the season progresses, City looks poised to challenge for another league title, fueled by Haaland’s extraordinary scoring ability.
Credit: Sky Sports
