Erling Haaland Nets a Brace as Man City Triumph to Go to the Summit.
Erling Haaland took his tally Premier League strikes of the season.
Match Summary
Manchester City move top 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.
Erling Haaland bagged a double to help Manchester City overcome struggling West Ham United for a fifth consecutive Premier League triumph.
The win sent them to the league's summit, a single point ahead of their title rivals, a side that have a chance to retake top spot in their evening fixture.
The visiting team, managed by Nuno, were desperate for a strong opening but found themselves behind inside five minutes when Haaland tucked home at the second attempt.
West Ham's defense were cut open all too easily and Haaland unbelievably missed a close-range header shortly after scoring.
Tijjani Reijnders doubled the lead shortly before the break, collecting Haaland's pass before jinking forward and hammering a finish into the top corner.
After the interval, the London side sought a consolation however Jarrod Bowen could only find the side netting and sent another effort off target.
The striker's brace then ensured a miserable Christmas for the visitors, who are anchored inside the bottom three.
City's Performance: Haaland and Team-Mates Looking Imperious
This was City's seventh straight win in every competition and Pep Guardiola's side are starting to put together the sort of streak that often leads to trophies.
The Norwegian's opener and second-half finish extended an astonishing campaign where he has notched 19 in the Premier League.
Once Reijnders thumped home the second, the outcome seemed certain as City extended their impressive unbeaten run against sides in the drop zone.
Alphonse Areola denied Phil Foden and Savinho late on, yet City's commanding win means they remain unbeaten against West Ham in two decades of league meetings.
Hammers' Troubles: Festive Struggles
The traveling support, any hope of a surprise result was extinguished within five minutes of the start.
The team have not enjoyed a new managerial bounce, with only two victories and now winless in their past six league games.
This leaves them in 18th place, three points adrift, with the gap potentially widening as other teams have fixtures remaining.
Aside from a few half-chances for Jarrod Bowen and a set-piece, they offered little threat for the City keeper.
Historically, West Ham have survived relegation when not bottom at Christmas, offering a faint hope for the current campaign.
What's Next?
Pep Guardiola's men: They enjoy a week off before returning to action with a visit to Nottingham Forest.
West Ham United: The Hammers host Fulham in London on the identical date.
