Haaland scored a brace to give Manchester City the lead

Manchester City surged to the top of the Premier League table on Saturday as Erling Haaland’s clinical finishing dismantled a struggling West Ham United. 

The 3-0 victory at the Etihad marks a seventh consecutive win for the defending champions, piling significant pressure on title rivals Arsenal.

The Norwegian phenom opened the scoring with a thunderous strike into the top corner after Alphonse Areola had initially parried his first attempt. Haaland then showcased his versatility before the interval, turning provider for Tijjani Reijnders to slot home his first goal in a City shirt.

While West Ham squandered several opportunities to claw back into the contest, Haaland remained unapologetically efficient in front of goal. He secured his second of the afternoon 21 minutes from time, taking his staggering tally to 38 goals for club and country this season.

This victory moves Pep Guardiola’s side one point clear at the summit, leaving the Hammers mired in the relegation zone. City’s relentless momentum suggests they are hitting their traditional mid-season stride, just as their competitors begin to falter under the festive strain.