Erling Braut Haaland had a fantastic start to his period in the Premier League on Sunday. The striker was single-handedly responsible for Manchester City’s 0-2 victory over West Ham United with two hits, one of which was a penalty. Haaland promoted with his second goal a great through pass from Kevin de Bruyne to goal.
With the reigning English champion, where Nathan Ake played the entire game, coach Pep Guardiola had few surprises in store. Haaland was on the point of attack, flanked by Jack Grealish and Phil Foden. Newcomer Julían Álvarez started on the bench but replaced Haaland after almost eighty minutes.
The home side started strong as Mikhail Antonio headed over, but after that it was City who dictated and had frequent possession. A hole in the defense of the Hammers finding it proved difficult. The few chances that Man City created were defused time and again by Lukasz Fabianski. After half an hour of play, City scored no less than 84 percent of the ball, but they did not achieve a goal.
It was all the more annoying that the outstanding Fabianski was injured not much later and was unable to continue. His replacement, the Frenchman Alphonse Areola, came in very unluckily. With one of his first actions, he caused a penalty. Of course, Haaland was not deprived of this present. He sent Areola the wrong corner and signed for his first Premier League goal. This 0-1 was also the halftime score.
The game remained more or less the same after the break, but it was Declan Rice who should have leveled West Ham United. He reacted quickly to a rebound, but then shot high over. West Ham coach David Moyes then decided to bring in ex-PSV player Gianluca Scamacca for Manuel Lanzini. But before Scamacca could do anything, Haaland on the other side had already made it 0-2. After a great through pass from Kevin de Bruyne, the Norwegian signed for his second. Despite some good attacks, Manchester City did not manage to extend the score further and West Ham did not return much. With only 24 percent possession and one shot on goal, City’s defense was barely tested.