Erling Haaland Nets a Brace as Manchester City Win to Move Top.
Erling Haaland added to his total Premier League strikes of the season.
Key Points
Pep Guardiola's side take first place in the Premier League following their victory.
The prolific forward takes his tally to 19 league goals this campaign.
Tijjani Reijnders finds the net for City before half-time.
The Norwegian goal machine found the net on two occasions to help the reigning champions beat beleaguered West Ham United for a fifth straight Premier League triumph.
The win sent them to the league's summit, a single point ahead of Arsenal, a side that have a chance to retake top spot later on Saturday.
The visiting team, under Nuno Espirito Santo, were desperate for a positive start however conceded early inside five minutes when Haaland scored at the second attempt.
West Ham's defense were cut open with ease and Haaland unbelievably sent a free header wide shortly after scoring.
The Dutchman added a second seven minutes before half-time, collecting Haaland's pass before driving forward and hammering a shot into the roof of the net.
In the second half, the London side tried to claw something back however their forward could only find the side netting and dragged another shot wide.
The striker's brace sealed a miserable Christmas for the Hammers, who are anchored inside the relegation zone.
City's Performance: Haaland and Team-Mates Looking Imperious
This was City's seventh consecutive win in every competition and Pep Guardiola's side are starting to put together the sort of streak that typically ends with trophies.
Haaland's early goal and second-half finish continued an astonishing campaign where he has notched 19 in the Premier League.
Once Reijnders thumped home the second, the end result was never in doubt as City extended their impressive unbeaten run against sides in the drop zone.
The goalkeeper denied two City players late on, yet City's commanding win means they remain unbeaten against West Ham in their past 20 league games.
West Ham Analysis: A Miserable Christmas
The traveling support, any hope of a shock triumph vanished almost immediately of the start.
Nuno's side have not enjoyed a boost from a coaching change, with only two victories and now without a victory in their past six league games.
This leaves them 18th in the table, three points from safety, with the gap could grow as rivals have fixtures remaining.
Other than a few half-chances for their winger and a set-piece, they created minimal threat for the opposition goalkeeper.
Historically, West Ham have avoided the drop when not bottom at Christmas, providing a glimmer of hope for this season.
What's Next?
Manchester City: They have a break before returning to action with a trip to Nottingham Forest.
Nuno's team: They host Fulham at their home ground on the identical date.
