Erling Haaland delivered a masterclass, scoring two goals and providing an assist, as Manchester City strolled to a dominant 3-0 Premier League victory over West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, 20 December 2025.
Haaland Inspires One-Sided Triumph
The prolific Norwegian striker needed just five minutes to open the scoring, setting the tone for a match City controlled from start to finish. After his initial right-footed effort was saved by Alphonse Areola, Haaland reacted quickest to thunder the rebound home with his left foot. City's dominance of possession was relentless, and West Ham, who will spend Christmas in the relegation zone, offered little resistance in a dismal first-half display.
City's Control and Hammers' Struggles
The home side doubled their lead before the break, with Haaland turning provider. After good work from Rayan Cherki, Haaland laid the ball off for midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, who smashed his shot into the roof of the net from close range. This was Pep Guardiola's side's fifth consecutive Premier League win, a run that firmly applies pressure to league leaders Arsenal.
West Ham showed slightly more energy after the interval, with Freddie Potts and Mateus Fernandes forcing saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma. However, any fleeting hope of a comeback was extinguished in the 69th minute. A swift move involving substitutes Savinho and Rico Lewis ended with Haaland pouncing on a defensive error to rifle past Areola for his second, taking his season tally for club and country to an astonishing 38 goals.
Near Miss and Final Whistle
Haaland came within inches of a spectacular hat-trick in stoppage time, firing just wide after more sustained City pressure. The comprehensive win underlined City's growing title credentials, while for David Moyes's Hammers, the winless streak extended to six games. The result leaves City in a formidable position as the festive fixtures continue, with their attacking spearhead in devastating form.
