Category: Soccer

Manchester City’s relentless march continued as they dismantled West Ham, a performance that keeps them firmly on course to sit top of the table on Christmas Day should Arsenal stumble at Everton. Even if the Gunners collect maximum points, City’s ruthless efficiency sends a familiar warning to a title rival still chasing a first crown after three straight second-place finishes. Erling Haaland struck twice, with Tijjani Reijnders also on target, as City extended their dominance over West Ham, beating them for a seventh successive time and once again scoring at least three goals. The champions barely needed to break stride in the opening period, overwhelming opponents who have not beaten them since September 2015. City’s intent was clear almost immediately. Their suffocating possession game drained West Ham’s resistance, and inside five minutes Haaland had opened the scoring. A neat exchange between Phil Foden and Nico González on the left released the striker, whose initial effort was parried by Alphonse Areola, only for Haaland to pounce and smash in the rebound. Moments later, the damage nearly doubled when Rayan Cherki floated a cross onto Haaland’s head, though the Norwegian unusually failed to convert. West Ham were reduced to chasing shadows, hoping fleeting counterattacks might bring relief. One such attempt, a quick Lucas Paquetá free-kick aimed at Jarrod Bowen, went astray but at least hinted at the right idea. City kept probing. Cherki’s clever footwork carved open space for Reijnders, whose powerful shot forced a sharp save from Areola. The French winger then played a decisive role in City’s second, wriggling past defenders before sliding the ball into Haaland, who laid it off perfectly for Reijnders to hammer high into the net. The tempo dipped after the interval and City briefly lost their grip, allowing West Ham a rare sniff. Mateus Fernandes blazed over from distance and Bowen twice came close, rounding Gianluigi Donnarumma before hitting the side-netting, then narrowly missing from another angle. Sensing the lull, Pep Guardiola acted decisively. A triple substitution just past the hour — introducing Rico Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Savinho — instantly revived City’s edge. The move paid off almost at once. Savinho combined with Lewis, whose pass found Haaland after a defensive mix-up, and the striker rifled home his second to put the contest beyond doubt. West Ham mustered little response beyond a Crysencio Summerville effort that Donnarumma comfortably handled. Haaland even had a late chance to complete his hat-trick, dragging just wide, as City closed out another dominant display. The final whistle confirmed a third straight league clean sheet and another emphatic statement. With players like González seamlessly filling in for Rodri, Foden shining regularly, Cherki brimming with invention and Haaland as lethal as ever, City once again look like a side built to wear rivals down — and, quite possibly, deny Arsenal yet again.