Erling Haaland enjoyed his usual feast against West Ham as Manchester City looked ever-so-slightly like their old selves in a ruthless 4-1 win over Julen Lopetegui’s side on Saturday. The Norwegian bagged a double to make it nine goals in six games against the Hammers and rack up 16 Premier League goals this season, just one behind top scorer Mohamed Salah.
Savinho and Phil Foden also shone in a therapeutic win for the champions. City made a ragged start to the game and gifted West Ham two decent early chances but Pep Guardiola’s side’s nerves were settled in the 10th minute, when Vladimir Coufal stuck out a leg and diverted a Savinho shot into the far end of the net. City continued to be sloppy in defence but they doubled their lead when Haaland towered into the air to head home a pinpoint cross from Savinho.
Savinho, who set up Haaland’s headed goal in City’s last outing against Leicester, laid on another goal for the striker 10 minutes into the second half, the fifth goal the Brazilian has contributed to in his last two matches. Three minutes later Phil Foden scored just his second league goal of the season to turn a convincing win into a rout, although West Ham did pull a goal back through Niklas Fullkrug.
GOAL rates Man City’s players from the Etihad Stadium…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Stefan Ortega (6/10):
Rarely tested until Fullkrug scored due to West Ham’s wastefulness.
Rico Lewis (7/10):
Looked far more comfortable and confident than in recent weeks, being resourceful and ambitious with the ball.
Manuel Akanji (5/10):
A little suspect in possession and looked vulnerable whenever West Ham broke. Fortunate the referee gave a foul when Crysencio Summerville dispossessed him by the halfway line.
Nathan Ake (6/10):
Strong and intelligent although he was taken off early as he still does not look fully fit.
Josko Gvardiol (6/10):
Didn’t provide his usual attacking threat but looked more solid at the back, making an important early block on a shot from Mohammed Kudus.
Midfield
Mateo Kovacic (5/10):
Not focused enough and gave the ball away on a couple of occasions to the fury of Guardiola, who removed him just after the hour mark.
Bernardo Silva (7/10):
Bright and creative, involved in all of City’s best moves.
Kevin De Bruyne (7/10):
His fight and commitment pleased the crowd and he set up Foden’s goal.
Attack
Phil Foden (6/10):
Another positive performance as he fuelled City’s attacks with his long passes before scoring himself.
Erling Haaland (8/10):
How he must look forward to playing against West Ham. Their high-line plays to his strengths and he bullied their defenders in the air.
Savinho (9/10):
West Ham couldn’t live with his pace and trickery on the left side and he now finally appears to be coming good.