Manchester City recorded an encouraging 4-1 win over West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Vladimir Coufalo’s own goal got the Cityzens on track early in the first half before Erling Haaland’s simple header provided much-needed cover just before the whistle.
Haaland then doubled his tally shortly after the break with a fine strike and Phil Foden struck three minutes later, before Niclas Fullkrug struck for a consolation for the visitors.
How the match unfolded
Man City they were looking for the perfect start to the new year and luck was in their favor as they raced into an early lead at the Etihad. Mohammed Kudus and Tomas Soucek spurned promising chances for the visitors before Savinho, who starred in the win over Leicester City last weekendhe saw his cross deflect into the bottom corner of a helpless Coufal.
Despite Man City taking the lead in the tenth minute, it was like that West Ham who served a better chance in the first half hour. The Hammers broke with pace and ferocity on the counter-attack when the hosts conceded possession, but failed to capitalize on a series of encouraging attacks.
Bernardo Silva came close to punishing their profligacy in the 32nd minute when he headed home after a clever move by Man City, but the diminutive Portuguese saw his low drive deflected off the outstretched legs of Alphonse Areola.
The reigning Premier League champions began to purr at the end of the first half and once again forced Areola to stretch as they hunted down a consolation second. Ric Lewis was offered too much freedom as he collected the ball 25 yards from goal, but the youngster saw his venomous effort pushed wide.
The hosts were eventually rewarded for their pressure before the break Haaland joined the scorers for the second consecutive attack. In a near carbon copy of the Norwegian’s strike against Leicester last time out, he produced a calm header at the far post after Savinho’s superbly deep cross.
Any hopes of an inspired Hammers comeback were extinguished ten minutes into the second half when Haaland secured his brace. Again it was Savinho who made the effort, moving forward and releasing the dashing Man City striker, who delicately flicked the onrushing Areola.
West Ham were the architects of their own downfall as City quickly grabbed a convincing fourth place. Kevin De Bruyne collected a loose pass from Kudus and slid the ball to Foden, who grabbed his second Premier League goal of the season to add some shine to the score.
There would be no clean sheet for Man City as West Ham pulled one back through Fullkrug and the hosts took their foot off the gas in the closing stages. Lucas Paqueta also came close to a second for the Hammers, but his shot went inches wide.
However, it didn’t matter as Man City secured an important win to close the gap on the top four.
See player ratings for Man City vs West Ham here.
Man City’s defensive problems have caught the eye over two torrid months, but they have also been hugely disappointing in the final third. For a team that prides itself on free-flowing, attacking football, they have been alarmingly open in recent outings.
However, that was not a problem on Saturday. Although Man City rarely peppered West Ham’s goal with relentless pressure, they forged a number of clear-cut chances. Their link-up play was more assured and quicker, with confidence from the win over Leicester.
They were clinical in key moments as well, exploiting the chances presented to them with impressive ruthlessness. It seems like a potential turning point for an offensive line that has long looked like a shadow of its former self.
Savinho was the catalyst for Man City’s first win in five games at the King Power Stadium and the tireless Brazilian produced another game-defining performance away to West Ham.
The 20-year-old provided the brightest spark in a Man City forward line that has struggled for creativity in recent outings, with his brilliance forcing both first-half goals. A quick run past Coufal and a bit of luck gave the home side some much-needed breathing space, while a superb cross from the far post allowed Haaland the simplest of headers to add to the ruckus.
Savinho was again the heart of Man City’s third strike, using his speed to force the West Ham defenders into a retreat before playing a perfect ball for Haaland. It was a devastating performance against an admittedly apathetic Hammers backline.
Much has been made of Man City’s problems in wide areas this season, with the likes of it Jack GrealishJeremy Doku and previously Savinho to deceive flatteringly. But the latter provided the impetus and energy that helped the Cityzens out of the slump, quickly becoming a clinical force down the left.
However, Haaland boasted only 25 touches against West Ham. He’s just never going to be a striker who is involved in every phase of the game, linking play with one-touch passes. But he more than makes up for his shortcomings with a merciless string that’s second to none.
However, that aspect of his game has been lacking in recent weeks. His goal against Leicester he was the first of the five and even the clinical Norwegian was guilty of snatching away in promising moments. He redeemed himself against a hapless West Ham.
After scoring an incredibly similar header to the one he scored against Leicester, Haaland then served up a bit of the old Haaland. Rushing across the finish line and knocking Konstantinos Mavropanos out of the way, he made an excellent chip and added third position to the score.
It was the kind of sequence that Haaland does better than any other striker in world football, with flashes of confidence beginning to show. That will be a big concern for Premier League centre-backs.
West Ham weren’t bad at the Etihad. They enjoyed a few promising moments and could have taken the lead twice before Coufal’s unfortunate own goal. But the fight and energy quickly disappeared from the poor Londoners, who suffered another heavy defeat.
After he was a goal for five Liverpool last time out, the Hammers scored four in Manchester. Their defensive problems were laid bare, and a lack of intensity and organization in defense proved costly. Eyes naturally attract a manager.
Lopetegui seems to have been on the verge of being fired for the past six weeks. West Ham have failed to significantly improve on their disappointing start to the season and have suffered some humiliating losses against the division’s big boys.
Once again, Lopetegui failed to come up with a game plan to put out-of-form Man City under significant pressure, while also failing to make it difficult for his side to open up at the other end. Another poor display undoubtedly brings the Spaniard closer to the bench.
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