Haaland double powers Manchester City to 3–0 win over West Ham

Erling Haaland scored twice and set up another as Manchester City strengthened their Premier League title credentials with a commanding 3–0 win over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium.

The Norwegian striker struck inside five minutes of a largely one-sided contest, created Tijjani Reijnders’ goal midway through the first half and added his second after the break to seal City’s fifth successive league victory.

According to ESPN, the result piled pressure on leaders Arsenal, while West Ham slipped into the relegation zone after extending their winless run to six matches.

City asserted control from the outset, dominating possession and pinning the visitors deep. Their early pressure paid off when Nico González combined with Phil Foden down the left, the England midfielder pulling the ball back for Haaland. His initial effort was blocked by Alphonse Areola, but the striker reacted quickest to smash home the rebound.

Haaland almost doubled his tally moments later, heading wide from a Rayan Cherki cross, but City remained patient and composed.

West Ham offered little resistance, aside from a Jarrod Bowen cross that flashed across goal, and it was no surprise when City doubled their advantage. Cherki wriggled into the box and found Haaland, who selflessly laid off for Reijnders to fire into the roof of the net from close range.

The visitors showed greater urgency after the interval and went close when Crysencio Summerville crossed for Freddie Potts, whose effort was parried by Gianluigi Donnarumma before Mateus Fernandes blazed over. Bowen later dragged wide as West Ham briefly threatened.

Any hopes of a comeback were ended in the 69th minute when Haaland capitalised on defensive hesitancy to rifle home his second, taking his tally for club and country this season to 38.

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