Erling Haaland’s phenomenal start to the Premier League season continued as he netted another hat-trick, propelling Manchester City to a 3-1 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium. The Norwegian striker, who also scored three goals against Ipswich Town last week, has now found the back of the net seven times in the first three matches, outscoring every other team in the league.
West Ham 1 – 3 Manchester City
Haaland kicked off the scoring with a cool finish after Bernardo Silva’s interception set him up perfectly. Although West Ham briefly drew level thanks to a Ruben Dias own goal, Haaland restored City’s lead with a powerful strike just before halftime. West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus came close to an equalizer after the break, but Haaland wrapped up the game late on with another well-taken goal, ensuring City stayed at the summit of the table with a perfect nine points from three games, while the Hammers find themselves in 14th with three points in the premier league table.
Premier League Match Recap
Haaland was active from the start, narrowly missing an early header but soon made amends by scoring the opening goal after Bernardo Silva pounced on a loose pass to send him through. City almost extended their lead when Kevin De Bruyne’s shot rattled the post, but the Hammers equalized against the run of play when Jarrod Bowen’s cross deflected off Dias and into the net.
City regained the lead as Haaland fired an unstoppable shot past Alphonse Areola following a pass from Rico Lewis. West Ham continued to look dangerous on the counter, and Kudus nearly equalized again but was denied by the post. Haaland sealed his hat-trick late in the game, deftly chipping Lukasz Fabianski after latching onto a through ball from Matheus Nunes. West Ham nearly pulled one back in the dying moments, but Ederson made a crucial save to keep Crysencio Summerville’s curling effort out.
Haaland’s Record-Breaking Start
Haaland’s reputation as one of the premier league’s most dangerous forwards was further solidified at the London Stadium. Fresh off last week’s heroics, he continued to torment defenses, demonstrating his sharp instincts with his first goal and unleashing a stunning strike for his second. His final goal showcased his finesse, capping off a brilliant individual display with a delicate finish over Fabianski.
The striker’s seven goals in three games mark the best start to a Premier League season in history, and he became the first player since Paul Jewell in 1994/95 to score hat-tricks in two of a team’s first three matches. City’s rivals have every reason to be wary, as Haaland’s scoring touch looks more lethal than ever.
Encouraging Signs for West Ham Despite Defeat
West Ham may have suffered their second consecutive Premier League home loss, but there were moments of promise. They started the match strongly and had City on the ropes before Haaland’s opener. Even at 2-1 down, the Hammers created chances, with Kudus showing his speed and power on a near-equalizing strike.
City eventually took control, and though West Ham struggled to break them down in the second half, Lopetegui will be encouraged by his team’s fighting spirit and moments of quality. As they continue to gel under new management, West Ham will look to build on these positives and climb up the table in the coming weeks.
Looking Ahead
As the Premier League season progresses, Manchester City’s relentless form will be a challenge for their rivals, with Haaland’s exceptional goal-scoring spree setting a high bar. For West Ham, finding consistency and turning promising performances into points will be crucial for their climb up the league table and securing a solid position.