After last week‘s 2-0 win against relegation strugglers Leicester, Manchester City finally got a small but valuable winning streak. The current four-time consecutive champion of the Premier League was in an unpreceded crisis with just one win and nine defeats in their previous 13 games in all competitions. That number rose to two wins last week and today they managed another one, even thou their display was not great: Manchester City – West Ham 4-1. The Hammers managed only three wins in their last 10 league games and came too cautious into this one, and were punished for it by average City. Pep Guardiola certainly won‘t be happy with this display, but will welcome three points with open arms. After finally scoring against Leicester, Erling Haaland continued his scoring streak with a brace in this game. The Norwegian striker has scored seven goals in just five Premier League games against West Ham, and he extended his streak today. He again proved to be lethal against weaker teams, but wasteful against top 6 sides.”Erling Haaland was unstoppable against West Ham, netting 3 brilliant goals! A performance of pure dominance and precision—the man is rewriting the rules of goal-scoring! ⚡⚽ #Haaland #MCFC” pic.twitter.com/l6oOIGBLZW— football world (@vs_football_7) January 4, 2025 The Hammers were weakened with the absence of two best strikers: Captain Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio, who are both injured and will miss some time. Bowen‘s absence was really visible as the Hammers winger has been involved in 16 away Premier League goals (10 goals, 6 assists), since the start of the last season. Julian Lopetegui‘s side has been really week in defensive department, as they conceded more goals than any other Premier League side (83) in 2024. And considering that the Citizens won 14 of their last 15 Premier League home games against West Ham (L1), nobody expected a different result.Haaland goal man city pic.twitter.com/G4xl0YwcZR— NafieYaakoubi (@YaakoubiNa26561) January 4, 2025 And yet, it was the guests who had the first chance of the game, when Mohammed Kudus shook the side net after only six minutes. The Hammers were a better team after the first 10 minutes, but Vladimir Coufal‘s unfortunate own goal gave the home team the lead in their first serous attack. West Ham players saw that the home players are still insecure and continued to play brave, but their didn‘t have their best strikers in the team and soon City started to create chances. The best one was in the 32nd minute, when Bernardo Silva had a clear shot, but only managed to kick the ball straigh at Areola. Haaland used a great pass from Savinho to head the ball into the goal in the 42nd minute for 2-0. Soon as the second half started, the Norwegian striker put the game away, again after an assist from Savinho, and Foden‘s goal just came as cherry on top. Fullkurg managed a consolation goal for the visitors in the 71st minute and that was all the Hammers could do today.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 20Saturday Tottenham – Newcastle 1-2 (1-2)/Solanke 4 – Gordon 6, Isak 38/Aston Villa – Leicester (8.00)/Barkley 58, Bailey 76 – Mavididi 63/Bournemouth – Everton 1-0 (0-0)/Brooks 77/Crystal Palace – Chelsea 1-1 (0-1)/Mateta 82 – Cole 14/Man.City – West Ham 4-1 (2-0)/Coufal (og) 10, Haaland 42, 55, Foden 58 – Fullkrug 71/Southampton – Brentford 0-5(0-1)/Chade 6, Mbuemo 62, 69, Wissa 90+2, Lewis Potter 90+5/20.30: (4.30) Brighton (3.60) Arsenal (1.85)Sunday 17.00: (1.57) Fulham (4.00) Ipswich (6.00)19.30: (1.33) Liverpool (5.50) Man.Utd. (8.50)Monday23.00: (3.20) Wolverhampton (3.30) Nott.Forest (2.30)***odds are subject to change***
