Haaland Scores Twice as Manchester City Win to Move to the Summit.
The Norwegian striker scored his 18th and 19th league goals of the campaign.
At a Glance
Manchester City go to the summit in the top flight following their victory.
The prolific forward brings his total to 19 league goals this campaign.
The Dutch midfielder scores another for City prior to the interval.
Erling Haaland found the net on two occasions to help the reigning champions defeat beleaguered West Ham United for a fifth consecutive top-flight win.
The win sent them into first place, one point clear of their title rivals, a side that can reclaim top spot later on Saturday.
The visiting team, under Nuno Espirito Santo, needed a positive start but found themselves behind within the opening five when Haaland scored at the second time of asking.
West Ham's defense was breached with ease and Haaland somehow missed a close-range header shortly after his opening goal.
Tijjani Reijnders added a second shortly before the break, taking Haaland's pass before driving forward and hammering a finish into the roof of the net.
In the second half, West Ham sought a consolation but their forward could only find the side netting and dragged another shot wide.
Haaland's second goal sealed a miserable Christmas for the visitors, as they remain stuck inside the relegation zone.
City's Performance: A Dominant Display
This was City's seventh consecutive win in every competition and the team are starting to put together the sort of streak that typically ends with major silverware.
The Norwegian's opener and 69th-minute strike extended an remarkable season where he has notched 19 in the Premier League.
Once Reijnders thumped home the second, the end result seemed certain as City stretched their impressive unbeaten run against sides in the relegation zone.
The goalkeeper saved from two City players late on, yet City's comfortable win means they have not lost against West Ham in two decades of league meetings.
West Ham Analysis: Festive Struggles
For the West Ham fans, any hope of a surprise result vanished within five minutes of the start.
Nuno's side have not enjoyed a boost from a coaching change, with only two victories and now without a victory in their past six league games.
Consequently, they sit in 18th place, three points adrift, with the deficit could grow as rivals have games in hand.
Other than a few half-chances for Jarrod Bowen and a well-struck free-kick, they created minimal threat for the City keeper.
In the past, West Ham have survived relegation when outside the bottom place at Christmas, offering a faint hope for the current campaign.
What's Next?
Manchester City: They enjoy a week off before returning to action with a trip to Nottingham Forest.
Nuno's team: They welcome Fulham at their home ground on the identical date.
