Sport Soccer

MAN ON FIRE: Haaland smashes back-to-back hattricks as City klap West Ham

Voice Sports Team|Published

DOUBLING UP: Haaland, right, celebrates his hattrick

BY SAM TOBIN

Erling Haaland’s second successive hattrick propelled Manchester City to a 3-1 win at West Ham United on Saturday, maintaining the champions’ perfect start to the Premier League season.

The Norwegian striker missed an early chance but made no mistake with the second, calmly slotting past Alphonse Areola to put City ahead in the 10th minute after Bernardo Silva dispossessed Lucas Paqueta in midfield.

West Ham equalised against the run of play after 18 minutes, when Ruben Dias deflected Jarrod Bowen’s cross into his own net, before Haaland restored City's lead on the half-hour mark, smashing a vicious shot beyond Areola from close range.

Haaland almost turned provider in the 38th minute, playing a lovely cushioned pass into the path of youngster Rico Lewis. But the
fullback blazed his shot over the bar.

City yster Kevin De Bruyne nearly added a third just before the break as they 
threatened to extend their lead, but his free-kick from the edge of the box skimmed the roof of the net.

West Ham almost levelled shortly after half-time through a quick break as Mohammed Kudus hit the post, with the chance galvanising the home crowd and West Ham’s players.

But then Haaland secured the win with another cool finish in the 83rd minute, charging on to Matheus Nunes’ through ball and lifting his shot over Hammers substitute keeper Lukasz Fabianski.

The Norwegian striker followed up last week’s
treble against Ipswich Town to record his seventh goal in three games this season and his 70th Premier League strike in just 69 appearances for the champions.

Man City have three wins from three to open up an early two-point lead on the points table over last season’s runners-up Arsenal, who drew 1-1 at home to Brighton on Saturday.

Daily Voice

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