Manchester City took a big step towards securing a third straight Premier League title, when they beat West Ham United 3-0 on Wednesday.
After a tricky first half, the Blues netted twice in the second period to claim a vital three points, with Nathan Ake, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden on target. For Haaland, it was another night to remember as he scored his 35th of the Premier League campaign to set a new record for the most goals from a player in a single season.
City dominated the early stages but struggled to find a way past West Ham with Lukasz Fabianski keeping out shots from Julian Alvarez and Riyad Mahrez inside the first 10 minutes.
Haaland failed to hit the target with a header at the back post before Jack Grealish and Rodri nearly broke the deadlock just after the half hour mark with shots that both beat Fabianski but struck the post. John Stones also headed wide in City’s final chance of note in the opening period, while West Ham only had one real chance when Stefan Ortega kept out Jarrod Bowen’s poke towards the front post.
But it took just four minutes after the break for City to find the opener. Mahrez’s perfectly weighted free-kick was deftly headed in at the back post by Ake to give the hosts a well-deserved lead.
The Blues remained in complete control with Grealish firing a good effort wide before Alvarez tested Fabianski from outside the area. And on 70 minutes the City fans got their wish as Haaland broke yet another record. Grealish played a well-timed pass into his path and the striker advanced before chipping the ball over the onrushing Fabianski to net an incredible 35th league goal of the season.
It was 3-0 late on when Foden’s volley crashed into the back of the net, although it did take a huge deflection of Emerson Palmieri en route to the goal.
Ortega was called into action for a second time late on as he palmed away a Palmieri strike, while Foden went close at the other end in injury-time when again Fabianski denied a City player’s shot.
The win takes City back to top spot ahead of Arsenal by a point, although they still have a game in hand over the Gunners. Here’s how we rated the players…
1. Stefan Ortega- 6
Made a good save against Bowen and was solid with his feet on what was the keeper’s Premier League debut.
2. Kyle Walker- 6
Gave little away on City’s right flank and pushed inside when his team were in possession.
3. Ruben Dias- 6
Had a few awkward moments early on but recovered well and was commanding in defence.
4. John Stones- 7
Pushed into midfield when City had the ball and rarely misplaced a pass all night.