Manchester City secured a 3-1 victory over West Ham, showcasing a dominant performance for much of the match.
The game began with City reflecting on their history, wearing a kit inspired by their 1999 play-off win, a pivotal moment that set the stage for the club’s rise. Kevin De Bruyne led the team out, and the occasion also brought back memories of Erling Haaland’s debut goals for City at this very stadium in 2022.
Haaland, who has an uncanny ability to shake off mistakes, quickly put a missed header behind him and found the net soon after. Despite early pressure from West Ham, City’s relentless pressing, led by Bernardo Silva, created the opening for Haaland to score past Alphonse Areola. Although West Ham equalized shortly after through a Ruben Dias own goal from a Jarrod Bowen cross, City remained undeterred.
City regained the lead with a fluid passing move, culminating in another Haaland goal. Despite Pep Guardiola’s pre-match concerns over the absence of Savinho and Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, who replaced Savinho, shone on the left wing, linking up seamlessly with De Bruyne.
City’s first-half dominance was evident, though they were unable to extend their lead, with Rico Lewis among those missing chances. West Ham reminded City of the game’s tightness with a late first-half surge and an early second-half scare when Mohammed Kudus hit the post.
However, Silva, known for his ball control, helped City regain composure and control. Despite his importance, Silva’s performance was overshadowed by Haaland, who completed a back-to-back hat-trick with a clinical finish from a Matheus Nunes pass.
Nathan Ake and Kyle Walker were introduced late in the game as City secured and solidified their lead, moving two points clear at the top of the Premier League table after Arsenal’s draw with Brighton. While City can reflect on a strong performance, their focus remains on the promising season ahead.
