Manchester City reclaimed the top spot in the Premier League through an inspired display by Erling Haaland, who scored twice and assisted Tijjani Reijnders in a dominant 3-0 win over West Ham.
Manchester City surged to the summit of the Premier League table on Saturday afternoon with a commanding 3-0 victory over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium.
In a performance defined by tactical dominance and clinical finishing, Pep Guardiola’s side left the Hammers searching for answers.
Erling Haaland was once again the protagonist, scoring twice and providing an assist to ensure the champions maintained their relentless pace at the top.
The scoring opened just five minutes in when Haaland pounced on a rebound, before the Norwegian turned provider for Tijjani Reijnders to double the lead before the break.
Haaland secured his brace in the second half, capitalizing on defensive hesitation to seal the points. The result temporarily moves City into first place, piling the pressure on their title rivals.
Player Ratings:
Gianluigi Donnarumma: 7
The Italian shot-stopper had a relatively quiet afternoon as City dominated territory, but he remained alert when called upon. He produced two smart saves in the second half to deny Summerville and Bowen, ensuring the hosts kept a clean sheet and never allowed West Ham a route back into the contest.
Matheus Nunes: 7.5
Continuing his fine run of form, the Portuguese was influential both in defensive transitions and supporting the attack. His intelligence in drifting into midfield helped City overload the central areas, consistently providing an outlet and recycling possession with composure beyond his years.
Rúben Dias: 7
The defensive general marshaled the backline with his typical authority, ensuring Bowen remained isolated for much of the game. While he wasn’t heavily tested, his positioning and communication were vital in snuffing out any potential counter-attacks before they could develop into genuine threats.
Joško Gvardiol: 8
The Croatian was a constant threat, frequently marauding forward from the back to join the attack. He was unlucky not to score himself, seeing several efforts blocked or saved, and his ability to progress the ball under pressure was instrumental in City’s relentless wave of attacks.
Nico O’Reilly: 7
Solid and dependable, the youngster provided the necessary balance on the left side of the defense. He won his aerial duels and was disciplined in his positioning, allowing the more creative players ahead of him the freedom to express themselves without fear of being caught out.
Tijjani Reijnders: 8.0
A standout performance from the midfielder, who capped an industrious display with a powerful finish for City’s second goal. His late runs into the box caused West Ham constant problems, and his link-up play with Haaland and Cherki was the heartbeat of City’s creative efforts throughout the match.
Nico Gonzalez: 7.5
Operating as the midfield anchor, Nico provided the security that allowed the attackers to thrive. He was incredibly efficient with his passing and displayed his trademark ability to skip past challenges, effectively neutralizing West Ham’s attempts to win the ball in the middle third.
Rayan Cherki: 8
The young playmaker justified his inclusion with a vibrant display, providing the cross for Haaland’s header and playing a key role in the buildup to the second goal. His vision and trickery in tight spaces repeatedly unlocked the Hammers’ compact defensive shape.
Bernardo Silva: 7.0
The tireless Portuguese international was everywhere, pressing the opposition relentlessly and knitting together the play. While he didn’t grab the headlines with a goal, his tactical discipline and work rate were essential in City maintaining such a high level of control over ninety minutes.
Phil Foden: 7
Foden was at the center of City’s early breakthrough, with his initial delivery leading to the opening goal. He remained a constant menace between the lines, forcing Areola into a spectacular save late on and consistently driving the team forward with his direct running and technical quality.
Erling Haaland: 9.5 (Man of the Match)
A truly elite performance from the world’s most dangerous striker. By scoring his 103rd Premier League goal, he equaled Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally in significantly fewer games. With two goals and a perfectly weighted assist, he was the difference-maker who simply could not be contained by the West Ham defense.