Erling Haaland made it back-to-back hat-tricks in the Premier League as Manchester City beat West Ham 3-1 at the London Stadium.
Just a week on from his heroics against newly-promoted Ipswich, the unstoppable Haaland put the Hammers to the sword after scoring three stunning goals.
His first was placed coolly beyond Alphonse Areola to hand the reigning champions the lead while his second, a crashing effort that hurtled into the roof of the net from 10 yards out, restored City’s advantage after Ruben Dias’ own goal.
West Ham pushed for an equaliser, with Mohammed Kudus clattering the woodwork, but City wrapped up the three points when Haaland dinked over Lukasz Fabianski.
Here, Mail Sport’s KATHRYN BATTE has rated both sets of players…
Erling Haaland scored his second hat-trick in a week as Manchester City beat West Ham
Haaland inspired City to continue their 100 per cent start to the season at the London Stadium
WEST HAM (4-2-3-1)
Alphonse Areola – 6
Could do nothing about either goal in the first half and made a fantastic save to deny Kevin De Bruyne. Substituted at half-time due to an injury.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6
His first league start since joining from Manchester United. Jack Grealish probably got the better of him in the first half, but he ensured the City winger was much quieter in the second.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka made his first league start for the Hammers and took on a tricky Jack Grealish
Max Kilman – 6 (Booked)
Was perhaps a tad slow to react for the second goal but did not make any huge errors. Not an easy task to stop Erling Haaland when he is in this sort of form.
Konstantinos Mavropanos – 5
Could not live with Haaland when he got on the ball. Rushed out of position for the third goal, leaving the striker with a free run to put the game beyond doubt in the closing stages.
Emerson – 5 (Booked)
Given a tough afternoon by Jeremy Doku and was caught on his heels by Haaland for the second goal. Struggled to get up the pitch and was replaced by Vladimir Coufal in the second half.
Emerson was given a tough afternoon by Jeremy Doku and was replaced in the second half
Edson Alvarez – 6
His first league start since returning from a hamstring injury but does not yet look fully fit. Found himself chasing shadows for much of the first half but did grow into the game in the second.
Guido Rodriguez – 6.5 (Booked)
Probably his best performance since joining the club. Was tidy in possession when he had it and grew into the game after a quiet first half. Will be an important player this season.
Jarrod Bowen – 7
Got his side back in the game out of nowhere when his cross was turned into his own net by Ruben Dias. Along with Mohammed Kudus, was West Ham’s best attacking threat and caused Josko Gvardiol some problems.
Jarrod Bowen got his side back into the game out of nowhere after forcing an own goal
Lucas Paqueta – 4
At fault for City’s opening goal after being caught on the ball in his own half by Bernardo Silva. Was wasteful in possession in the attacking third and struggled to make a significant impact.
Lucas Paqueta was at fault for City’s first goal and was wasteful in possession in the final third
Mohammed Kudus – 6.5
Came incredibly close to an equaliser in the second half after a brilliant counter-attacking move with Bowen, but saw his effort crash against the crossbar. Occasionally let down by his decision-making.
Mohammed Kudus came close to scoring but his powerful strike crashed against the crossbar
Michail Antonio – 6
Should probably have scored in the opening minutes when he was picked out in the box by Bowen. Worked hard for his team and tried to hold the ball up when he got it.
SUBS
Lukasz Fabianski (for Areola, 45) – 6
Vladimir Coufal (for Emerson, 71)
Niclas Fullkrug (for Antonio, 71)
Tomas Soucek (for Alvarez, 77)
Crysensio Summerville (for Bowen, 86)
Julen Lopetegui – 6
Will be pleased his team stayed in the game until the closing stages but will also be frustrated they did not make more of their attacking opportunities.
MANCHESTER CITY (3-2-4-1)
Ederson – 6.5
Could perhaps have communicated better with Ruben Dias before the defender turned the ball into his own net, but made a fantastic save to deny Crysensio Summerville a late consolation goal.
Manuel Akanji – 7 (Booked)
A solid afternoon for City’s reliable centre back. Made a vital block to prevent Antonio from getting on the end of a Bowen cross as West Ham pushed for a goal in the second half.
Ruben Dias – 6
Needlessly allowed West Ham back into the game when he diverted Bowen’s cross into his own net under little pressure. But recovered to put in a solid display once City restored their lead.
Ruben Dias carelessly allowed West Ham back into the game after touching into his own net
Josko Gvardiol – 6.5
Could have got closer to Bowen to prevent him from crossing for West Ham’s equaliser and was kept busy by the Hammers’ captain, but stood up to the challenge.
Rico Lewis – 7.5
Continues to justify his starting place over Kyle Walker. Neat and tidy in possession and assisted Haaland for his second goal. Assured and comfortable in his defensive duties.
Rico Lewis continues to justify his selection over Kyle Walker and was neat and tidy on the ball
Mateo Kovacic – 7
Showed again why he is more than an able deputy for Rodri. Involved in the build-up for the second Haaland goal and rarely put a foot wrong.
Jack Grealish – 7
A lively figure in the first half kept Wan-Bissaka under pressure. Played his part in the second goal with a driving run before laying the ball off. Looked slightly frustrated to be substituted after a quieter second half.
Grealish played his part in City’s second half after a driving run saw him lay the ball off
Bernardo Silva – 8
Ran the show in the middle of the pitch and was at the centre of City’s best attacking football. Assisted Haaland for his first goal and was involved in the build up for his second.
Bernardo Silva ran the show in the middle and was at the heart of City’s best attacking football
Kevin De Bruyne – 7 (Booked)
On another day he could have scored two or three, forcing Areola into a fine save before he hit the crossbar in the first half. Picked up a needless yellow card for a foul on Antonio.
Jeremy Doku – 6.5
Caused Emerson a number of problems down the left hand side but may feel he could have taken his man on even more. Replaced by Ilkay Gundogan as West Ham pushed for a second half equaliser.
Erling Haaland – 9
Yet another Premier League hat-trick for City’s main man. Two emphatic finishes in the first half and sensational chipped goal in the second. West Ham were powerless to stop him. Now 70 goals in 69 Premier League games – an incredible record.
Haaland’s incredible record in the Premier League now reads 70 goals in just 69 matches
SUBS
Ilkay Gundogan (for Doku, 68)
Matheus Nunes (for Grealish, 73)
Kyle Walker (for Gvardiol, 87)
Nathan Ake (for De Bruyne, 88)
Pep Guardiola – 7
His team had to ride out a period of pressure from West Ham in the second half but, in truth, this was a comfortable and impressive victory on the road.