Haaland double sends Manchester City top as West Ham slump to defeat

Erling Haaland struck twice as Manchester City continued their title push with a comfortable Premier League victory over struggling West Ham United, moving Pep Guardiola’s side to the top of the table, Sport360NG reports.

City’s fifth consecutive league win lifted them one point clear of Arsenal, although the Gunners can reclaim first place later on Saturday with a victory away to Everton.

West Ham’s hopes of taking anything from the Etihad Stadium were dealt an early blow, as Haaland opened the scoring inside five minutes. The Norway forward reacted quickest after Alphonse Areola saved his initial effort, converting at the second attempt to give City immediate control.

The hosts dominated from that point, carving through the visitors with ease. Haaland missed a gilt-edged chance to double his tally when he headed wide from close range, while Tijjani Reijnders tested Areola with a driven effort from distance.

Reijnders made amends seven minutes before the interval, latching onto a pass from Haaland, skipping past a challenge and blasting a finish into the roof of the net to put City firmly in command at half-time.

West Ham attempted to mount a response after the break, but their threat was limited. Jarrod Bowen struck the side netting from a tight angle before pulling another effort wide, as City continued to control possession and territory.

Haaland sealed the outcome just after the hour mark, adding his second of the match to ensure a difficult afternoon for the visitors, who remain rooted in the relegation zone. The striker later passed up the chance of a hat-trick when he dragged a late effort wide.

The result extended City’s winning run to seven matches in all competitions and underlined their growing momentum. Haaland’s brace took him to 19 league goals for the season and 38 in all competitions for club and country, while City stretched their unbeaten run against teams starting the day in the bottom three to an extraordinary 48 matches.

Areola produced late saves to deny Phil Foden and Savinho and prevent a heavier scoreline, but City’s dominance was clear as they recorded another clean sheet and maintained their long-standing superiority over West Ham in league meetings.

For the Hammers, it was another damaging setback under Nuno Espírito Santo. Since replacing Graham Potter in September, the Portuguese coach has overseen just two league wins, with this defeat leaving West Ham 18th, three points from safety and without a victory in six league games.

Although history offers some encouragement, the club have previously avoided relegation when not bottom at Christmas, their current form suggests a difficult fight lies ahead in the second half of the season.