Manchester City delivered a dominant statement at the Etihad Stadium, sweeping aside West Ham United in emphatic fashion to move temporarily to the top of the Premier League table.

The reigning champions leapfrogged Arsenal, who are set to play their Matchday 17 fixture later today against Everton. For now, Pep Guardiola’s side sit proudly at the summit, underlining their title credentials with another polished display.

Once again, the spotlight belonged to Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker was simply unstoppable, scoring twice and earning Man of the Match honours. He opened the scoring as early as the sixth minute, reacting quickest inside the penalty area to beat the goalkeeper on the rebound.

Haaland doubled his tally midway through the second half, ruthlessly punishing a defensive lapse from West Ham to fire home from close range. His influence didn’t stop there. The City forward also provided the assist for the third goal, teeing up Tijjani Reijnders to put the result beyond any doubt.

2025-26, England - Premier League

Manchester City - West Ham 3:0 (2:0)
Goals: Håland E., 5 (1:0); Reijnders, 38 (2:0); Håland E., 69 (3:0)

Manchester City: Donnarumma G.; Dias R.; Gvardiol; Reijnders (Lewis R., 67); Nico González (Khusanov, 67); Bernardo Silva (Mukasa, 75); Matheus Nunes; Foden; Cherki (Sávio Moreira, 67); O'Reilly; Håland E.
Substitution: Khusanov (from 67); Lewis R. (from 67); Sávio Moreira (from 67); Mukasa (from 75)
Bench: Trafford; Ake; Heskey R.
Yellow Cards: Nico González 28

West Ham: Areola; Walker-Peters; Kilman; Scarles; Magassa; Potts F. (Wilson C., 79); Paqueta (Soucek, 78); Todibo; Fernandes M. (Rodríguez G., 79); Summerville (Mavropanos, 79); Bowen
Substitution: Soucek (from 78); Mavropanos (from 79); Rodríguez G. (from 79); Wilson C. (from 79)
Bench: Hermansen; Igor J.; Kanté M.; Irving A.
Yellow Cards: Bowen 41