Haaland scores two as Man City put four past West Ham

Erling Haaland scored twice as Savinho inspired Manchester City to a 4-1 win over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium.

Vladimir Coufal’s own goal set City on their way before Erling Haaland scored either side of half-time, with all three goals created by Savinho. Phil Foden scored the fourth as Pep Guardiola’s side built on their win over Leicester to make it back-to-back victories.

Niclas Fullkrug pulled one back for West Ham and even then the scoreline flattered City but the result still heaps pressure on manager Julen Lopetegui. His side were heavily beaten 5-0 by Liverpool in their final game of 2024 and shipped another four here.

City’s first-half performance was far from convincing, West Ham having the better openings. But while Mohammed Kudus was wasteful, Savinho was superb in the final third.

It was his left-wing cross that deflected off Coufal and beyond Alphonse Areola for the first before he turned the Czech full-back inside out for the second. His tempting cross eluded Areola and Haaland was there to nod into the net to make it two.

In the second half, it was Savinho’s threaded pass in behind the Irons defence that allowed Haaland to score his second of the game, lofting the ball over the goalkeeper for his ninth goal against West Ham – his favourite Premier League opponents.

Lopetegui’s priority at that stage would surely have been to avoid a similar capitulation to the one against Liverpool but West Ham contrived to give the ball away in the build-up to the next goal, Kevin De Bruyne feeding Foden to make it four inside an hour.

City still have problems, underlined by Fullkrug’s goal. Manuel Akanji had been particularly fortunate that the referee ruled Crysencio Summerville had robbed him unfairly, denying the winger the chance to run through when there was only one goal in.

Guardiola is still searching for something, hence naming an unchanged side for the first time since August in the hope of finding it. Back-to-back wins brings some momentum but they remain sixth in the Premier League table. West Ham stay 13th for now.

Player of the match: Savinho

Man City have had to be patient with Savinho since his arrival in the summer, waiting until the final game of 2024 for him to score his first goal for the club, but supporters – and opponents – are now seeing what makes the young Brazilian winger so special.

Guardiola had suggested that Savinho favours the right wing and deployed him there regularly early in the season but it was on the left that he did his best work for Girona. Occupying that space against West Ham, he was the outstanding player on the pitch.

It was Savinho who provided the spark that was needed during an awkward opening for his confidence-hit team, causing Coufal all manner of problems for the opening two goals. His assist for the third showed that he can pick out a pass as well as a cross.

There are still issues for Guardiola to address at this club, the need to construct a new team now obvious. But Savinho, 20, has certainly not been responsible for the dramatic dip this season. He looks a clear candidate to be part of City’s next great side.

Asked about Savinho’s performance, Guardiola highlighted the key difference between the winger and many of his team-mates. “I think he is clean in his mind. He doesn’t think, you know? There is nothing in his head from the past,” Guardiola explained.

“Normally, when you are many years here, the players think that they deserve something special for what they have done and that is a big mistake. A big mistake. You have to prove it again and again and again and again.

“And of course, having a left footer in the left side, like an old-fashioned, old vintage football. Right on the right, left on the left. Of course, these kind of crosses helps a striker like we have. I am so happy for him. He deserves to play.”

De Bruyne criticises Man City fans

There were a nervousness inside the Etihad Stadium when West Ham pulled one back, something that De Bruyne did not appreciate.

“I don’t know why,” he told Sky Sports. “I can understand that we are not up to the level but they should be supporting us, the effort is there, 100 per cent, and we are still winning 4-1, so I don’t understand what is happening.

“It’s not like they created a lot of chances either. It is what it is. The team gave maximum effort. The level has to be higher but we understand that.

“The team is coming back a little bit fitness wise. The schedule helps with more days to prepare.

“It’s a little step. There were moments we played good, others a little less. But it was much better than against Leicester. There were some improvements.”

Pep: We were better against Everton

Asked in the press conference afterwards if this 4-1 win means there were signs that Manchester City are getting back to their best, Guardiola strongly disagreed.

“You judge results. We are not at our level. We won, we are so happy, it will help us. You judge results, our performance was not good. We know when we play good. I’m so happy for the guys, we work as a team, we work. First minutes, they deserved to be 0-1.

“We are a strong team, we run a lot and with the ball, we are composed – and now we don’t have it. Of course, very pleased with the result, but you cannot ask me if it is the old Manchester City back. You see the game, it’s not.

“Don’t misunderstand me. Listen, I’m so happy. I always sleep better these days. But he asked me if the old Manchester City, the way we play, is back. No. You have to know it. You were here watching our games for many, many years. It’s not that level. Come on.

It’s not because we lose, it’s a disaster, and when we win, it’s incredible, perfect. Against Everton, we played much, much better than today and we drew. Ah, big crash, it’s a disaster. Today is not [we are back].

“I’m happy, of course. We scored goals, good actions. Savinho was good. The people ran. Of course, there are a lot of positives. But if you ask me, if the team is playing like we played for the last years? No. Absolutely not.

“I’m saying that we have to be honest with ourselves. And they know it. The best way to improve is to get the reality. I could say, ‘Yeah, it’s perfect, we are back.’ Moments were pretty good. But we are not in the right tempo to control the game.”

Lopetegui: Not easy to explain result

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui speaking in the press conference:

“I think it is not easy to explain the match for me. It was very strange because we deserved more, in my opinion. It is not easy to say that when we lost 4-1. It is not only that we did not take advantage of our clear situations. We have to do better with our finishing.

“After they scored from an own goal, we had a clear situation when Summerville won the ball off [Manuel] Akanji. It was not a foul but the referee said it was a foul. It was very unlucky. A lot of little details explain why the result was like this.

“Despite us doing positive things, it was not enough. When you don’t take advantage against City, you are normally going to lose because they have high-quality players. In the second half, they scored two but they did not dominate us. That is why it is not easy to explain the 4-1.”

Asked about the injury that forced Jean-Clair Todibo off, Loptegui added: “We have to assess him tomorrow but I am not very optimistic with him. We suffered an injury with Ederson in the last training session [before the game]. We lost [Jarrod] Bowen for a long time. [Michail] Antonio too.”

Story of the match in stats…

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