Erling Haaland once again demonstrated his extraordinary goal-scoring ability as Manchester City secured a 3-1 victory over West Ham on Saturday, further solidifying their position at the top of the Premier League standings.
Haaland’s hat-trick not only contributed significantly to City's triumph but also marked his 24th career hat-trick, a remarkable achievement for the Norwegian striker.
This victory allowed City to capitalize on Arsenal’s earlier 1-1 draw against Brighton, a match that saw Arsenal’s Declan Rice controversially sent off with a red card. As a result, City extended their lead at the top of the table, maintaining a perfect start to the season.
The match saw City take an early lead in the 10th minute when Haaland capitalized on a mistake by West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá to score the opening goal, after initially missing an earlier chance.
While Kevin De Bruyne nearly doubled City's advantage with a shot that struck the post, West Ham responded swiftly, equalizing in the 19th minute when Jarrod Bowen’s cross led to an own goal by City’s Ruben Dias.
However, City soon regained control of the match, with Haaland finding the back of the net again in the 30th minute, thanks to a well-placed assist from Rico Lewis.
West Ham continued to pose a threat, with Mohammed Kudus hitting the woodwork, but City’s defense remained resolute.
Haaland completed his hat-trick in the 83rd minute, converting a precise pass from Matheus Nunes, sealing the victory for the reigning champions.
This performance not only marked Haaland’s 11th hat-trick for Manchester City but also his 24th hat-trick in his entire career, underscoring his status as one of the most prolific goal-scorers in football today.