Manchester City secured a 3-0 victory over West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium, propelling them to the top of the Premier League table. Erling Haaland scored twice, with Tijjani Reijnders adding the other goal in a dominant performance. The result increases pressure on Arsenal ahead of their match against Everton.
Manchester City started strongly against West Ham, taking the lead in the sixth minute when Erling Haaland converted a rebound after Alphonse Areola parried Phil Foden's delivery into the box. The Norwegian striker's early goal set the tone, as City monopolized possession and pinned West Ham deep in their half.
The hosts extended their advantage in the 38th minute. Rayan Cherki won the ball high up the pitch and passed to Haaland, who showed composure to slip the ball to Tijjani Reijnders. The midfielder stepped inside the box and fired high past Areola to make it 2-0. West Ham failed to register a single shot before half-time, highlighting City's control.
After the break, West Ham showed more intent, testing City's defense through efforts from Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen. However, City quickly reasserted dominance, with Areola denying Savinho to keep the scoreline at 2-0. Haaland sealed the win in the 69th minute, reacting quickest in a scramble to smash home his second goal.
Substitutions allowed City to manage the closing stages comfortably, finishing with nearly 70% possession. Haaland came close to a hat-trick late on, but his effort drifted wide. The victory marks City's 10th win in their last 12 matches across all competitions and extends their unbeaten run in Premier League games against West Ham to 19.
West Ham, who have won just two of their last 11 league matches, struggled throughout, losing 15 of their previous 16 away games at the Etihad. This result puts Arsenal under pressure to respond in their evening fixture at Everton.
