Manchester City climbed back to the top of the table on Saturday with a brutal 3-0 dismantling of West Ham United as Erling Haaland scored a double to surpass Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal tally in the Premier League in less than half the time.
Pep Guardiola’s men have 37 points after 17 games, while Arsenal, with 36 points, could regain top spot when they play Everton later on Saturday.
West Ham remains in the danger zone in 18th place with 13 points.
AS IT HAPPENED: MCI VS WHU HIGHLIGHTS
Haaland struck in the fifth minute when his first-time shot from Phil Foden’s cross was parried away by Alphonse Areola. He made no mistake on his second chance and fired past the goalkeeper.
Tijjani Reijnders doubled City’s lead in the 38th minute after Rayan Cherki intercepted the ball in the Hammers end, rounded a defender and played the ball to Haaland. The Norwegian passed to Reijinders, who shot into the roof of the net.
Haaland completed his double in the 69th with an easy tap-in after some woeful West Ham defending for his 104th league goal for City when West Ham’s Jean-Clair Tobido tried to clear the ball but it bounced off him and to Haaland’s feet psf2.
Haaland, who squandered several other chances including a shot into the side netting and a header that flew just over the crossbar, looked determined to complete a hat-trick and had the Etihad Stadium fans on their feet deep into stoppage time when he was one-on-one with Areola before sending his shot just wide of the far post.
While West Ham, who had gone six games without a win, were in their own half before half-time, things improved afterwards and City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma finally came into action with a brilliant double save early in the second half, first keeping out a shot from Crysencio Summerville and then a shot from Freddie Potts.
The match was City’s last of 2025 at the Etihad, and their 16th win against West Ham at their home stadium in their last 17 meetings.
Results from other PL matches
AFC Bournemouth 1-1 Burnley
Brighton 0-0 Sunderland
Wolves 0-2 Brentford
Published on December 20, 2025
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