Erling Haaland netted another hat-trick as Manchester City continued their flawless Premier League campaign with a 3-1 victory over West Ham United.
Following his treble against Ipswich Town last week, Haaland has now scored seven goals in the 2024/25 season, surpassing the total goals of any club so far this season.
Haaland opened the scoring with a composed finish in a one-on-one situation and added a powerful strike just before the half-hour mark, after a Ruben Dias own goal had briefly equalized for West Ham.
Despite Mohammed Kudus’ attempt to equalize for West Ham after halftime, Haaland sealed the win with another breakaway goal seven minutes from the end.
The result keeps Manchester City at the top of the Premier League with a perfect nine points from three matches, while West Ham, under Julen Lopetegui, remain in 14th place with three points from their first three games.
How the Match Unfolded
Haaland missed an early header but made amends just 10 minutes in by scoring after Bernardo Silva intercepted the ball and set him up with a precise pass.
How the Match Unfolded
Kevin De Bruyne nearly added to City’s lead with a shot that hit the post as they dominated early on. However, West Ham equalized unexpectedly in the 19th minute when Jarrod Bowen’s cross deflected off Ruben Dias and slipped past Ederson.
City regained control by the half-hour mark, with Haaland scoring a superb goal past Alphonse Areola after being set up by Rico Lewis.
West Ham nearly countered effectively after the break, but Mohammed Kudus’ shot clattered off the near post following a run down the left flank.
City secured their win with a two-goal cushion seven minutes from time. Haaland ran onto a through-ball from Matheus Nunes and deftly lifted the ball over substitute goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.
West Ham nearly salvaged a goal in the dying moments when Crysencio Summerville’s curling effort was expertly tipped onto the post by Ederson, keeping the scoreline secure.
Haaland on a Mission
Since his Premier League debut in 2022, Erling Haaland has been known for his explosive starts, and the 2024/25 season is no exception. After netting a hat-trick in last week’s comeback win over Ipswich, Haaland continued his exceptional form at the London Stadium.
Despite an early header from Bernardo Silva’s dinked cross going off target, Haaland showed his clinical edge by converting a one-on-one chance set up by Silva after just 10 minutes. His second goal was a stunning strike, as he fired into the top-right corner with minimal backlift, leaving goalkeeper Alphonse Areola with no chance.
Haaland’s third goal demonstrated his versatility, as he elegantly dinked the ball over substitute goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, effectively extinguishing any remaining hopes of a West Ham comeback.
City’s Rivals Have Reason to Worry
Erling Haaland is once again a formidable force this season, and rivals have every reason to be concerned. He is the first player to score a hat-trick in two of his team’s first three league matches since Paul Jewell for Bradford in the 1994/95 season. Haaland’s seven goals so far are the most any player has scored in a team’s first three Premier League games.
Haaland is off to his best Premier League start, surpassing his previous tallies of three goals at this stage in both the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons. With his relentless form, Pep Guardiola’s goal machine shows no signs of slowing down.
