Erling Haaland Scores Twice as City Win to Go Top.
Erling Haaland scored his 18th and 19th league goals of the campaign.
Match Summary
Pep Guardiola's side take first place in the Premier League with a win.
Erling Haaland takes his tally to 19 strikes in the league this season.
The Dutch midfielder scores another for City before half-time.
Erling Haaland bagged a double to help Manchester City overcome beleaguered West Ham United for a fifth consecutive Premier League win.
The win propelled them top of the table, a single point ahead of their title rivals, a side that have a chance to retake top spot later on Saturday.
The visiting team, under Nuno Espirito Santo, were desperate for a strong opening however conceded early inside five minutes when Haaland tucked home at the second time of asking.
The Hammers were cut open with ease and Haaland somehow missed a close-range header soon after scoring.
Tijjani Reijnders did get on the scoresheet shortly before the break, collecting Haaland's pass before jinking forward and hammering a shot into the roof of the net.
After the interval, the London side tried to claw something back but Jarrod Bowen could only find the side netting and sent another effort off target.
Haaland's second goal then ensured a joyless festive period for the visitors, as they remain anchored inside the bottom three.
City's Performance: Haaland and Team-Mates Looking Imperious
It marked City's seventh consecutive win in every competition and Pep Guardiola's side are building the kind of run that typically ends with trophies.
The Norwegian's opener and 69th-minute strike extended an remarkable campaign where he has scored 19 in the Premier League.
After Reijnders slammed in the second, the end result seemed certain as City extended their remarkable unbeaten run against sides in the relegation zone.
The goalkeeper saved from Phil Foden and Savinho late on, yet City's commanding win means they have not lost against West Ham in their past 20 league games.
Hammers' Troubles: A Miserable Christmas
For the West Ham fans, all optimism of a shock triumph was extinguished almost immediately of the start.
Nuno's side have not enjoyed a new managerial bounce, winning just two and now without a victory in their last six league games.
This leaves them in 18th place, three points from safety, with the deficit could grow as other teams have games in hand.
Aside from a couple of opportunities for their winger and a set-piece, they created minimal threat for the City keeper.
In the past, West Ham have avoided the drop when not bottom at Christmas, offering a faint hope for this season.
What's Next?
Manchester City: They enjoy a week off before returning to action with a trip to Nottingham Forest.
Nuno's team: They host Fulham in London on the identical date.
