🔗 Share this article Erling Haaland Nets a Brace as City Triumph to Climb to the Summit. Erling Haaland added to his total Premier League strikes of the season. Key Points Pep Guardiola's side take first place in the Premier League with a win. Erling Haaland takes his tally to 19 league goals this season. The Dutch midfielder adds a second for City before half-time. Erling Haaland bagged a double to fire the reigning champions defeat struggling West Ham United for a fifth straight Premier League victory. The win moved them into first place, a single point ahead of their title rivals, who can reclaim top spot later on Saturday. The visiting team, managed by Nuno, needed a strong opening but conceded early inside five minutes when Haaland converted at the second time of asking. The Hammers was breached with ease and Haaland unbelievably sent a free header wide shortly after scoring. Tijjani Reijnders added a second shortly before the break, collecting Haaland's pass before jinking forward and hammering a finish into the top corner. In the second half, West Ham sought a consolation however their forward could only find the side netting and sent another effort off target. The striker's brace sealed a miserable Christmas for the Hammers, who are stuck inside the bottom three. Manchester City Analysis: Haaland and Team-Mates Looking Imperious This was City's seventh straight win in every competition and the team are starting to put together the sort of streak that typically ends with major silverware. The Norwegian's opener and 69th-minute strike continued an astonishing campaign where he has notched 19 league goals. After Reijnders thumped home the second, the end result seemed certain as City extended their impressive unbeaten run against sides in the drop zone. The goalkeeper denied Phil Foden and Savinho late on, yet City's comfortable win means they remain unbeaten against West Ham in two decades of league meetings. Hammers' Troubles: Festive Struggles The traveling support, any hope of a surprise result was extinguished within five minutes of kick-off. Nuno's side have not enjoyed a new managerial bounce, winning just two and now winless in their past six league fixtures. This leaves them in 18th place, three points adrift, with the gap could grow as other teams have games in hand. Aside from a few half-chances for their winger and a set-piece, they offered little trouble for the opposition goalkeeper. Historically, West Ham have survived relegation when not bottom at Christmas, providing a glimmer of hope for the current campaign. What's Next? Manchester City: The side have a break before returning to action with a trip to Nottingham Forest. West Ham United: They host Fulham at their home ground on the identical date.
Erling Haaland added to his total Premier League strikes of the season. Key Points Pep Guardiola's side take first place in the Premier League with a win. Erling Haaland takes his tally to 19 league goals this season. The Dutch midfielder adds a second for City before half-time. Erling Haaland bagged a double to fire the reigning champions defeat struggling West Ham United for a fifth straight Premier League victory. The win moved them into first place, a single point ahead of their title rivals, who can reclaim top spot later on Saturday. The visiting team, managed by Nuno, needed a strong opening but conceded early inside five minutes when Haaland converted at the second time of asking. The Hammers was breached with ease and Haaland unbelievably sent a free header wide shortly after scoring. Tijjani Reijnders added a second shortly before the break, collecting Haaland's pass before jinking forward and hammering a finish into the top corner. In the second half, West Ham sought a consolation however their forward could only find the side netting and sent another effort off target. The striker's brace sealed a miserable Christmas for the Hammers, who are stuck inside the bottom three. Manchester City Analysis: Haaland and Team-Mates Looking Imperious This was City's seventh straight win in every competition and the team are starting to put together the sort of streak that typically ends with major silverware. The Norwegian's opener and 69th-minute strike continued an astonishing campaign where he has notched 19 league goals. After Reijnders thumped home the second, the end result seemed certain as City extended their impressive unbeaten run against sides in the drop zone. The goalkeeper denied Phil Foden and Savinho late on, yet City's comfortable win means they remain unbeaten against West Ham in two decades of league meetings. Hammers' Troubles: Festive Struggles The traveling support, any hope of a surprise result was extinguished within five minutes of kick-off. Nuno's side have not enjoyed a new managerial bounce, winning just two and now winless in their past six league fixtures. This leaves them in 18th place, three points adrift, with the gap could grow as other teams have games in hand. Aside from a few half-chances for their winger and a set-piece, they offered little trouble for the opposition goalkeeper. Historically, West Ham have survived relegation when not bottom at Christmas, providing a glimmer of hope for the current campaign. What's Next? Manchester City: The side have a break before returning to action with a trip to Nottingham Forest. West Ham United: They host Fulham at their home ground on the identical date.