West Ham vs Man City: Magical Haaland hits three to send champions top of Premier League

West Ham vs Man City: Magical Haaland hits three to send champions top of Premier League

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 19:30 - 31.08.2024

Erling Haaland scored a marvelous hat-trick to help Manchester City defeat West Ham 3-1 and climb back to the top of the Premier League.

Manchester City continued their 100% start to the new Premier League season, defeating West Ham 3-1 at the London Stadium to climb to the top of the PL table.

Manchester City in cruise control against West Ham

West Ham, under new boss Julen Lopetegui, started the game with some promise, backed by the buoyant home support.

Jarrod Bowen's venomous strike tested Ederson and the hosts looked dangerous.

However, City soon seized control, with Haaland capitalising on Lucas Paquetá's error to open the scoring.

Despite West Ham's brief resurgence, courtesy of Rúben Dias' own goal, Haaland restored City's lead with a clinical finish, taking his tally to 6 for the season.

The Norwegian's second goal was a testament to City's dominance, as intricate play around the box culminated in Haaland smashing the ball past Alphonse Areola.

The second half saw both sides create opportunities, but Haaland's hat-trick goal, courtesy of Matheus Nunes' through ball, sealed the win for City.

The victory extends City's unbeaten away run in competitive matches to 19 games, while West Ham succumbed to their second home Premier League defeat this season.

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