An eighth Premier League hat-trick from Erling Haaland made it three wins in three matches to start the season for Manchester City as they secured a 3-1 win over West Ham United at the London Stadium.
The City striker put the visitors ahead 10 minutes into the match with a composed finish past Alphonse Areola, before they were pegged back by West Ham against the run of play.
Jarrod Bowen's low cross was met by Rúben Dias who rather unfortunately turned the ball into his own net, although the Hammers' joy was short lived as they fell behind once again courtesy of a thunderous strike by Haaland.
West Ham were much improved in the second half and threatened an equalising goal on several occasions, however Haaland wrapped up the win and his second successive hat-trick seven minutes from time after chipping the ball over the on-rushing Łukasz Fabiański and into the back of the net in front of the rapturous travelling fans.
The Cityzens cemented their place at the top of the Premier League table and maintained their 100% to their title defence.
Story of the Match
Julen Lopetegui made two changes to the side that beat Crystal Palace 2-0 in their previous league outing. Summer signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka made his first Premier League start for the Hammers in place of Vladimír Coufal at right-back, and Edson Álvarez was preferred to Tomáš Souček in midfield.
Despite failing to score in either of West Ham's opening two league matches, Michail Antonio kept his place up front in favour of Niclas Füllkrug, with the club's deadline day signing Carlos Soler watching from the stands.
As for the visitors, Pep Guardiola opted to make one change to the side that dismantled Ipswich Town 4-1 last weekend with Jack Grealish making only his fourth Premier League start in 2024 in place of Savinho.
The Brazilian winger was not named in the squad for the visit to the London Stadium after an impressive showing against Ipswich, although fans would have been delighted to see Rodri's name back amongst the substitutes for the first time this season following his Euro 2024 triumph with Spain in the summer.
Manchester City enjoyed 3-1 wins in both fixtures against West Ham last season, and were heavy favourites heading into today's encounter with their last league defeat to the Hammers coming back in 2015.
The home side started fast with Bowen stinging the palms of Ederson from long range inside the opening stages, but they ultimately found themselves behind after 10 minutes.
A sloppy pass from Emerson was picked off by Bernardo Silva who played Haaland through on goal, and the Norwegian made no mistake as he slotted the ball beyond Areola and into the bottom corner to give the visitors the lead.
Haaland scored his first and second Premier League goals at the London Stadium back in August 2022, and it was his 68th goal that put the visitors ahead on the night in the same stadium.
City were purring and began to push for a second with Kevin De Bruyne having two long range efforts denied in quick succession, firstly by a sharp save from Areola and secondly by the outside of the post.
But, despite City's domination, West Ham levelled the match in the 19th minute after Dias inadvertently turned Bowen's low cross into the back of his own net.
The home fans finally had something to cheer, although those cheers were then silenced on the half-hour mark. Neat play from City on the edge of the West Ham penalty area saw the ball land at Haaland's feet, with his first touch bringing the ball under control and his second touch firing the ball past Areola and into the roof of the net to put the visitors back in front in emphatic fashion.
De Bruyne went close once more on the stroke of half-time as he saw his free-kick dip over the wall but only onto the roof of the net, with City taking a 2-1 advantage into the break.
Second Half
There was a surprise substitution at the start of the second half with Fabiański replacing Areola in the West Ham goal.
The second half began in a similar fashion to the first with City dominating possession on the edge of the West Ham penalty area, although they were almost caught out on the counter attack.
West Ham found themselves in a three-on-three break away as Bowen laid the ball into the path of Mohammed Kudus, but the Ghanaian saw his effort cannon off the post. It was a tough chance, but it gave the fans renewed hope.
The game became a much more even affair with both sides enjoying spells of possession, although neither keeper were tested until the final few minutes of the match.
West Ham created a half-chance 10 minutes from time as Kudus won the ball off Bernado on the touch line and fizzed the ball into the box, but the substitute Souček snatched at his effort and dragged the ball wide of Ederson's far post.
The Hammers were made to pay for their missed opportunity just minutes later after Haaland was played through on goal by Matheus Nunes, and the striker neatly chipped the ball over Fabiański to score his second successive hat-trick, his 24th hat-trick in his career, and wrap up the points for the visitors.
It's now three wins in three matches to start the season for City, and the win will feel even better for the fans after their title rivals Arsenal dropped points earlier in the day against Brighton. They will be hoping to maintain their 100% start to the season when they host Brentford after the international break.
As for the West Ham, they can take some encouragement from what was a much improved second half showing against a tough City side, and they'll need to pick themselves up after the break as they get set to face Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Player of the Match - Erling Haaland
Haaland continues to write his legend as he wrapped up his eighth Premier League hat-trick to clinch the points for City.
In truth, the Norweigian did not have a host of chances throughout the match, but he was clinical when he had to be and was ultimately the difference between the two sides on the night.
He's already bagged himself seven goals in the opening three matches of the season - the highest number of goals by an individual player after the first three games of any Premier League season - as his quest for a third successive Golden Boot award is off to the perfect start.
