🔗 Share this article Haaland Nets a Brace as Manchester City Claim Victory to Go Top. The Norwegian striker took his tally league goals of the campaign. Match Summary Pep Guardiola's side go to the summit in the top flight following their victory. Erling Haaland brings his total to 19 league goals this season. The Dutch midfielder finds the net for City prior to the interval. The Norwegian goal machine found the net on two occasions to help the reigning champions beat struggling West Ham United for a fifth straight top-flight triumph. This result moved them into first place, one point clear of their title rivals, a side that have a chance to retake top spot in their evening fixture. The visiting team, managed by Nuno, were desperate for a strong opening however conceded early inside five minutes when Haaland tucked home at the second attempt. The Hammers was breached with ease and Haaland somehow sent a free header wide soon after his opening goal. Tijjani Reijnders added a second seven minutes before half-time, collecting Haaland's pass before jinking forward and firing a shot into the roof of the net. In the second half, the London side tried to claw something back however their forward could only find the side netting and sent another effort off target. Haaland's second goal sealed a joyless Christmas for the visitors, who are stuck inside the bottom three. Manchester City Analysis: A Dominant Display This was City's seventh straight win in all competitions and Pep Guardiola's side are building the sort of streak that often leads to major silverware. The Norwegian's opener and 69th-minute strike extended an astonishing season where he has scored 19 in the Premier League. After Reijnders slammed in the second, the end result was never in doubt as City extended their impressive unbeaten run against sides in the drop zone. Alphonse Areola denied two City players late on, yet City's comfortable win means they have not lost against West Ham in two decades of league meetings. Hammers' Troubles: Festive Struggles For the West Ham fans, all optimism of a surprise result vanished almost immediately of the start. The team have not enjoyed a boost from a coaching change, with only two victories and now without a victory in their past six league fixtures. Consequently, they sit 18th in the table, three points from safety, with the gap potentially widening as rivals have fixtures remaining. Aside from a couple of opportunities for Jarrod Bowen and a set-piece, they offered little trouble for the City keeper. Historically, West Ham have avoided the drop when outside the bottom place at Christmas, offering a faint hope for the current campaign. Upcoming Fixtures Manchester City: They enjoy a week off before returning to action with a visit to Nottingham Forest. West Ham United: They welcome Fulham at their home ground on the same day.
The Norwegian striker took his tally league goals of the campaign. Match Summary Pep Guardiola's side go to the summit in the top flight following their victory. Erling Haaland brings his total to 19 league goals this season. The Dutch midfielder finds the net for City prior to the interval. The Norwegian goal machine found the net on two occasions to help the reigning champions beat struggling West Ham United for a fifth straight top-flight triumph. This result moved them into first place, one point clear of their title rivals, a side that have a chance to retake top spot in their evening fixture. The visiting team, managed by Nuno, were desperate for a strong opening however conceded early inside five minutes when Haaland tucked home at the second attempt. The Hammers was breached with ease and Haaland somehow sent a free header wide soon after his opening goal. Tijjani Reijnders added a second seven minutes before half-time, collecting Haaland's pass before jinking forward and firing a shot into the roof of the net. In the second half, the London side tried to claw something back however their forward could only find the side netting and sent another effort off target. Haaland's second goal sealed a joyless Christmas for the visitors, who are stuck inside the bottom three. Manchester City Analysis: A Dominant Display This was City's seventh straight win in all competitions and Pep Guardiola's side are building the sort of streak that often leads to major silverware. The Norwegian's opener and 69th-minute strike extended an astonishing season where he has scored 19 in the Premier League. After Reijnders slammed in the second, the end result was never in doubt as City extended their impressive unbeaten run against sides in the drop zone. Alphonse Areola denied two City players late on, yet City's comfortable win means they have not lost against West Ham in two decades of league meetings. Hammers' Troubles: Festive Struggles For the West Ham fans, all optimism of a surprise result vanished almost immediately of the start. The team have not enjoyed a boost from a coaching change, with only two victories and now without a victory in their past six league fixtures. Consequently, they sit 18th in the table, three points from safety, with the gap potentially widening as rivals have fixtures remaining. Aside from a couple of opportunities for Jarrod Bowen and a set-piece, they offered little trouble for the City keeper. Historically, West Ham have avoided the drop when outside the bottom place at Christmas, offering a faint hope for the current campaign. Upcoming Fixtures Manchester City: They enjoy a week off before returning to action with a visit to Nottingham Forest. West Ham United: They welcome Fulham at their home ground on the same day.