Erling Haaland ended his Premier League goal drought with a brace as Manchester City cruised to their joint-biggest win of the season, thrashing West Ham.
Haaland opened his account with a header late in the first half and added a sublime chip over West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola after latching onto a precise through ball from Savinho, who was arguably City’s standout player. The Brazilian also played a key role in the opener, delivering a left-wing cross that deflected off Vladimir Coufal and left Areola helpless.
Phil Foden sealed the victory with City’s fourth goal, a simple tap-in following an unselfish assist from Kevin De Bruyne, who opted for teamwork over individual glory in his 400th appearance for the club.
West Ham managed to pull one back when Niclas Fullkrug converted Tomas Soucek’s cross, but their hopes faded as Crysencio Summerville squandered a golden opportunity to score, missing with the goal at his mercy.
For City, it was their first back-to-back league wins since October, offering manager Pep Guardiola some respite after a challenging run that had prompted rare self-reflection from the decorated coach.
West Ham Struggles Continue Under Pressure on Lopetegui
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui faces mounting scrutiny as his side suffered another heavy defeat. While this loss wasn’t as devastating as their recent 5-0 drubbing by Liverpool, it underscored the lack of progress since David Moyes’ departure. Moyes’ presence in the stands served as a reminder of past stability, while Lopetegui’s position looks increasingly precarious.
City’s Performance: Progress but Concerns Persist
City’s strong start to 2025 and an upcoming FA Cup match against League Two Salford provide a foundation to build on, yet Guardiola knows his side’s issues remain unresolved.
Rodri’s absence continues to be felt, with City’s midfield struggling to manage key moments. An instance in the opening period highlighted this vulnerability when Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovacic failed to neutralize Summerville’s threat, something Rodri might have handled effortlessly.
While City are linked to players like Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Atalanta’s Ederson, mid-season transfers could prove costly and challenging. Outgoing sporting director Txiki Begiristain will need to navigate these complexities as Guardiola deals with a mounting injury list, including Ederson, Ruben Dias, and John Stones.
Areola’s Costly Error
West Ham’s miserable record against City—15 losses in their past 16 Premier League visits—continued as their goalkeeper Alphonse Areola made a crucial mistake.
Late in the first half, Savinho delivered a cross to the far post, but Areola inexplicably moved out of position, leaving Haaland with an easy header. The goal dampened West Ham’s hopes after Soucek had earlier missed a promising chance, and Summerville was controversially denied a clean run at goal by referee Michael Salisbury.
Haaland capitalized on these opportunities, ensuring City took full advantage and reinforcing the gap between the two sides. For Lopetegui, the challenge of turning things around at West Ham remains daunting.