The striker took his tally for the season to an absurd six goals in three games after a typically ruthless display
Erling Haaland just loves playing against West Ham. He scored twice on his Premier League debut against the Hammers in 2022, then broke the league's scoring record in a single season in the corresponding fixture at home.
Last season he netted in the away fixture and although he drew a blank in the home fixture, he still got to lift the trophy as Manchester City clinched the title.
And he continued to punish the Londoners on Saturday by bagging a hat-trick as City extended their 100 percent start to the season with a 3-1 win.
The Norwegian struck quickly after Bernardo Silva had mugged Lucas Paqueta in a dominant start for City, who had 17 shots in the first 45 minutes. West Ham levelled with an own goal from Ruben Dias but Haaland restored the deserved lead with a thunderbolt from inside the area.
City continued to dominate in the second half although West Ham were dangerous on the break and Mohammed Kudus struck the post. Haaland made sure of the points by striking once more to complete his second consecutive hat-trick and become the first player in Premier League history to score seven goals in the first three games of a season.
GOAL rates Man City's players from the London Stadium…
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Ederson (6/10):
Saw little action aside from the goal which he could do nothing about due to being wrong-footed.
Rico Lewis (7/10):
Highly involved in the attacks, nearly scoring himself as well as setting up Haaland's second.
Manuel Akanji (6/10):
Made a vital tackle on Michail Antonio to prevent an equaliser.
Ruben Dias (5/10):
Misjudged Jarrod Bowen's cross in a clumsy own goal in one of very few attacks he had to face. Helped Gvardiol out of a tricky situation later.
Josko Gvardiol (5/10):
Not tight enough on Bowen, didn't do much attacking.
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Kevin De Bruyne (8/10):
Orchestrated City's best moves and unlucky not to score when he hammered the woodwork for the second game in a row.
Mateo Kovacic (6/10):
Played his part in the second goal but not always convincing defensively.
Bernardo Silva (7/10):
Energetic and incisive. His pressing sparked the first goal and his passing was spot-on.
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Jeremy Doku (5/10):
Slowed down several promising moves with a bad touch or pass. Struggled on the right wing.
Erling Haaland (10/10):
He missed a good headed chance early on then spent the rest of the game making up for it. Each goal was impressive in its own way but his second was truly unstoppable.
Jack Grealish (6/10):
Looked well up for it and made an imposing start but couldn't make the most of his shooting chances.
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Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):
Gave City the control they needed to see the game out.
Matheus Nunes (6/10):
Did well to set up Haaland's third with a good run and pass.
Kyle Walker (N/A):
Got his first minutes of the season late on.
Nathan Ake (N/A):
Brought on in the 89th minute.
Pep Guardiola (7/10):
An outstanding away display and was able to make his substitutions early. His side are top already, good luck to anyone trying to dislodge them.
