Manchester City tightened their grip at the top end of the title race with a commanding 3-0 win over West Ham, a result that could leave them top on Christmas Day if Arsenal slip up at Everton. Even if that scenario does not unfold, the champions’ cold efficiency once again underlined why they remain such an imposing obstacle for the Gunners.
Erling Haaland struck twice, with Tijjani Reijnders also on the scoresheet, as City made it seven straight victories over West Ham, extending a run in which the London side have conceded at least three goals in six of those meetings.
City set the tone almost immediately. Their relentless circulation of the ball steadily wore down West Ham, and within five minutes Haaland had opened the scoring. A neat exchange between Phil Foden and Nico González freed the striker, whose first effort was spilled by Alphonse Areola before Haaland hammered the rebound home.
A second goal almost followed moments later when Rayan Cherki delivered a teasing cross onto Haaland’s head, but the normally clinical forward misfired. West Ham were pinned back, reduced largely to chasing possession and hoping to spring something on the counter. A quickly taken Lucas Paquetá free-kick aimed for Jarrod Bowen showed intent, even if it failed to trouble City.
Cherki continued to unsettle the visitors, gliding past challenges and creating openings. One such run set up Reijnders for a powerful effort that forced a fine save from Areola. The French winger then played a key role in City’s second, wriggling into space before feeding Haaland, who calmly rolled the ball into the path of Reijnders to smash into the roof of the net.
After the break, City briefly eased off and West Ham enjoyed their best spell. Mateus Fernandes fired over from distance, while Bowen twice went close, rounding Gianluigi Donnarumma before hitting the side-netting and then dragging another effort just wide.
Pep Guardiola reacted swiftly to the dip in intensity, making a triple substitution midway through the half. The impact was immediate. Savinho combined with Rico Lewis, and after a defensive mix-up the ball fell kindly for Haaland, who rifled in his second to restore City’s authority.
That effectively ended the contest. Crysencio Summerville forced a save from Donnarumma, but West Ham rarely threatened again. Haaland even passed up a late chance to complete his hat-trick, narrowly missing as City cruised to a third successive league clean sheet.
With Haaland ruthless, Reijnders influential and Guardiola’s side once again able to shift gears at will, City’s message to their title rivals was unmistakable: the champions are still very much in control.
