West Ham 1-3 Manchester City: What Were The Main Talking Points As Haaland Bags Another Hat-Trick At The London Stadium?

Inspired by yet another Erling Haaland hat-trick on Saturday evening, Manchester City claimed a 3-1 victory against West Ham at the London Stadium.

While the Hammers might have enjoyed a bright start here, City’s attacking icon pounced on Lucas Paqueta’s early mistake as the Norwegian record-breaker opened the scoring after just 10 minutes.

Although the Hammers might have briefly dragged themselves level as Ruben Dias turned Jarrod Bowen’s cross into his own net, Haaland restored City’s lead midway through the first-half.

Producing a thunderous effort into the roof of Alphonse Areola’s net and silencing the home support in east London, it was unsurprisingly Pep Guardiola’s striking sensation who stole all of the headlines here.

While Mohamed Kudus might have rattled the post during the second-half, Haaland officially wrapped up a second Premier League hat-trick in as many appearances in the final few minutes.

On an evening when Man City extended on their 100% start to the new campaign, we have taken a look at the main talking points from the London Stadium.

Haaland is a force of nature

While England international Phil Foden might have been crowned PFA Player of the Year for last season, it was City’s attacking icon that spearheaded their charge to the record books.

Claiming consecutive Premier League Golden Boots after arriving from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022, Haaland has only further underlined his status as Europe’s ultimate marksmen.

Putting the Hammers to the sword on Saturday evening and leaving the London Stadium with an eighth Premier League hat-trick to his name, the Norwegian record-breakers has embarked on a sensational start to the new campaign.

Including yet another trio of strikes at home against Premier League returners Ipswich last weekend, Haaland has remarkable registered seven goals from just his opening three domestic appearances.

Charging towards a century of Premier League strikes and now averaging over a goal a game among England’s elite, the 24-year-old is already firing on all cylinders and made yet another public statement here.

City come flying out of the traps

While Manchester City might have relinquished their maiden European crown last season, the Sky Blues only shattered more domestic records as they became the first club in English history to claim four consecutive Premier League titles.

Holding off Arsenal’s charge and once again pencilled in as a standout title contender this time around, Guardiola’s men have only continued on from where they left off back in May.

Opening up the 2024/25 campaign with an eye-catching 2-0 victory away at Chelsea on August 18th, the former Barcelona boss finds the mood in his camp at a red-hot high.

Now becoming the first club to claim nine points from their opening three Premier League appearances, Man City and their record-breaking attacking talisman have continued to gain a reputation for their clinical performances in the final third.

Heading into September’s international break in the midst of yet another remarkable domestic purple patch, Guardiola’s defending champions couldn’t have wished for a better start to proceedings.

Easier tests await for the Hammers

Getting a new era underway at the London Stadium this summer following the arrival of new Julen Lopetegui, West Ham have their sights firmly set on securing a European return this season.

Enjoying what was a sensational summer behind the scenes in east London as they recruited nine new first-team stars, it is no secret that the former Wolves boss is trying to implement a new style more attacking style of play.

However, while the Hammers might have claimed a first Premier League victory of the season last weekend as they secured a 2-0 win away at London rivals Crystal Palace, West Ham were always bracing themselves for a monumental challenge here.

Although Lopetegui’s side might have eventually failed to collect what would have been a famous upset at the London Stadium on Saturday evening, they should take plenty of positives away from an eye-catching performance.

While the Hammers might still be looking to find some welcomed defensive stability, Saturday’s hosts will be relishing the chance to polish their new system over the fortnight interval.

Match Report

West Ham: Areola, Emerson, Kilman, Mavropanos, Wan-Bissaka, Alvarez, Rodriguez, Kudus, Paqueta, Bowen, Antonio

Subs: Fabianski, Coufal, Soucek, Fullkrug, Summerville

Manchester City: Ederson, Gvardiol, Dias, Akanji, Lewis, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Silva, Grealish, Doku, Haaland

Subs: Walker, Nunes, Gundogan, Ake

Goals: West Ham: Dias (19’ OG) – Manchester City: Haaland (10’, 30’, 83’)

Yellow Cards: West Ham: Rodriguez, Kilman, Emerson – Manchester City: De Bruyne, Akanji

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Michael Oliver