Erling Haaland dominated the headlines as Manchester City triumphed over West Ham at the London Stadium, continuing his stellar start to the season with his second hat-trick, making it his 11th for City. Pep Guardiola attributed Haaland’s form to being fully injury-free for the first time in over a year—a worrying prospect for City’s rivals. But Haaland wasn’t the only standout; Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Rico Lewis also delivered impressive performances. As City heads into the international break sitting at the top of the Premier League, they have every reason to be satisfied, especially given Guardiola’s earlier concerns about players returning late from summer break.
Here are some key moments you might have missed during City’s victory:
Grealish Unhappy with Substitution
Jack Grealish was instrumental in the first half, working well with Kevin De Bruyne on the left flank and often swapping positions to create chances. This was Grealish’s first start of the season after a poorly timed injury before the Community Shield, and with Savinho sidelined, it was an opportunity for him to reclaim his spot. Although substituted in the second half, Grealish seemed frustrated, pointing back at the pitch as if upset with something that happened during play rather than the substitution itself. Despite his disappointment, Guardiola would have been pleased with his performance overall. The two were seen discussing the decision after the final whistle, ending with a handshake.
Stressed Pep
Pep Guardiola appeared unusually tense before kick-off, sitting pitchside for a good 10 minutes, seemingly deep in thought. Although City has a strong record at the London Stadium, Guardiola’s demeanor suggested he was feeling the pressure, possibly reflecting on past challenges against West Ham. His anxious energy persisted throughout the match, and it was only after securing the three points that he seemed somewhat relieved.
Haaland Urges Fans to Celebrate
After completing his hat-trick, Haaland celebrated, knowing he had perfectly timed his run. A brief VAR check initially gave West Ham fans a glimmer of hope, but when the goal was confirmed, Haaland encouraged City supporters to celebrate, signaling for them to start their traditional Poznan as the win was sealed.
De Bruyne’s Clever Corner Routines
Kevin De Bruyne nearly executed a well-rehearsed corner routine against West Ham, reminiscent of a similar attempt against Ipswich. In the first half, De Bruyne signaled for a short corner with Grealish, then whipped a shot on goal that Alphonse Areola just managed to deflect. City’s set-piece coach, Carlos Vicens, seems to have been busy, as these clever routines suggest the team has been honing their tactics on the training ground.
