Erling Haaland marked his first Premier League brace in over three months as Manchester City demolished West Ham 4-1 to match their biggest win of the season.
The Norwegian forward struck twice in a dominant display, following up his header late in the first half with a composed chip over West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola after being set up by a perfectly timed through ball from Savinho.
Savinho was undoubtedly Manchester City’s standout performer. It was the Brazilian winger who was instrumental in their opening goal, delivering a left-wing cross in the 10th minute that deflected off Vladimir Coufal and wrong-footed Areola.
Haaland’s first goal came in the 45th minute, heading home from a well-placed cross to give Manchester City a deserved lead at the break. He doubled his tally early in the second half, capitalizing on a clever through ball from Savinho, who was again the architect of the move.
Phil Foden added a fourth for City, tapping in his second league goal of the season after a selfless assist from Kevin De Bruyne, who opted to set up his teammate rather than score himself on his 400th appearance for the club.
Haaland Hits Brace as Manchester City Crush West Ham 4-1
West Ham managed to pull one back through Niclas Füllkrug, who slotted home Tomas Souček’s cross in the 71st minute, but their hopes of a comeback were dashed when Crysencio Summerville squandered a golden opportunity, sending his effort wide with the goal at his mercy.
For Manchester City, this was their first back-to-back victory since October, offering Pep Guardiola a much-needed boost after a tough run of form. The win will provide some relief for the manager, who has faced rare self-doubt after City’s uncharacteristic dip in performances, which had prompted questions about their dominance under his stewardship.
In contrast, West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui is under increasing pressure. While this defeat was not as heavy as the 5-1 thrashing by Liverpool earlier in the season, it still leaves much to be desired. The presence of former manager David Moyes in the stands served as a reminder that the Hammers have yet to make the strides many had expected after Moyes’ departure last summer. Lopetegui’s tenure could be in jeopardy if results do not improve soon.
For City, this victory marks an encouraging start to 2025, with the FA Cup tie against League Two Salford next on the horizon. However, Guardiola is well aware that the club’s issues are far from resolved.
One of those ongoing concerns is the absence of key midfielder Rodri. Early in the match, Manchester City struggled with a few defensive lapses that would likely have been covered by the Spanish international. In one instance, Rico Lewis was caught under a bouncing clearance, and Mateo Kovačić, who tried to help, failed to cover for the onrushing Summerville. It was a clear reminder of Rodri’s crucial role in protecting City’s defense.
Rodri’s absence is even more pronounced as City look to strengthen their squad. Reports suggest that the club is monitoring several potential signings, including Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush, Atalanta’s Ederson, and Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov. However, securing any of these players mid-season would be challenging, especially with top clubs like Atalanta in the midst of a historic Serie A title race.
Meanwhile, Guardiola must navigate a growing injury list. With Ederson, Ruben Dias, and John Stones all sidelined for this match, it was left to backup goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to step in, though he too faced an injury scare late in the game. Guardiola could have called upon 39-year-old Scott Carson, who was warming up late in the match, but Ortega managed to continue.
City’s dominance over West Ham at the Etihad continues, with 15 wins from their last 16 home league encounters against the Hammers. West Ham have now gone 19 Premier League matches without a win against City, an unwanted club record.
While Lopetegui could not have foreseen the unfortunate blunder from Areola that gifted City their first goal, the Hammers’ frustrations were evident. Areola’s decision to come for Savinho’s well-placed cross in the 45th minute, despite being in a central position and unable to reach it, allowed Haaland an easy header into an open net.
Earlier, West Ham could have had the lead when Souček squandered a golden chance to score after being set up by Mohammed Kudus. The Hammers bench also voiced their displeasure when referee Michael Salisbury ruled that Summerville had fouled City’s Manuel Akanji in a potentially game-changing moment, a decision that Lopetegui believed to be incorrect.
Despite West Ham’s frustrations, Haaland ensured City would not relinquish their grip on the match, sealing a comprehensive victory that will help Guardiola feel his team is slowly turning a corner after a challenging stretch.
source – BBC
