Manchester City beat West Ham 3-0 on Saturday to momentarily move top of the Premier League table ahead of Arsenal playing later on Saturday.
WATCH — Full match replay
Erling Haaland scored twice and Tijjani Reijnders added another as City gave up a few chances in the second half, but were dominant throughout.
Pep Guardiola’s side have now won seven games in a row in all competitions including five in a row in the Premier League to move on to 37 points. West Ham remain in the relegation zone and are on 13 points.
City embrace goalscoring to power title hopes
For a while this season City tried to go for a more pragmatic approach. But Pep Guardiola has reverted to what he knows best: outscoring opponents and creating a ton of chances. City were dominant against West Ham and should have scored five or six, at least. They have now scored at least three goals in each of their last five games, all wins, with 17 goals scored across those games. Cherki and Foden are purring and Haaland is bullying opponents as they move the ball so quickly and are full of confidence. Guardiola has found the right balance in midfield and attack and even if they are giving up some decent chances at the other end, it won’t impact them in terms of results if they keep creating and scoring this many goals.
What’s next?
City head to Nottingham Forest on December 27, while West Ham host Fulham on the same day.
Manchester City vs West Ham score: 3-0
Haaland 6', 69', Reijnders 39'
Manchester City vs West Ham live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
So close to a hat trick for Haaland!
After several chances for City, Haaland is played in behind but drags his effort wide. He wanted that hat trick.
Haaland grabs his second and City’s third!
City going top of the table. Savinho is away and his ball across to Lewis is touched on to Haaland. West Ham can’t clear and the ball bounces to Haaland who slots home.
Bowen so close to making it 2-1!
The Hammers break and Paqueta picks out Bowen superbly. He charges into the box and his low shot across goal is just wide. How many times have we seen Bowen score chances like that? West Ham are well in this now.
Bowen almost sneaks it home!
The ball bounces around in the box and breaks to Bowen. He goes around the onrushing Donnarumma but the angle is tight and Bowen’s effort hits the side-netting.
Dias should make it 3-0!
A clever free kick routine finds Ruben Dias at the back post but his header lacks real power and is straight at Areola. He’s frustrated with himself there.
Good stop from Donnarumma!
West Ham have a big chance as Summerville skips into the box and his cross towards Bowen is well saved by Donnarumma. Mateus Fernandes then blasts the rebound way over and he should hit the target.
Half time: Manchester City 2-0 West Ham
City are coasting. Haaland’s early goal set the tone and West Ham have been in damage limitation mode. Reijnders with a lovely second goal to make things more comfy for City.
Reijnders finishes to make it 2-0!
That was coming. City have stepped on the gas in the last few minutes. West Ham can’t clear and Cherki has a lovely bit of skill to find Haaland and he moves it to Reijnders who finishes above Areola.
Reijnders denied by Areola
City are starting to find little gaps and Reijnders turns well and shots across goal, but Areola saves well.
Hammers hanging in there
West Ham haven’t been a threat in attack aside from a half chance for Jarrod Bowen on the right. But they’re doing okay defensively. City are starting to get frustrated as we approach half time.
Haaland finishes at the second attempt!
Wonderful move down the left from City as Foden picks out Haaland in the box. His first effort is saved well be Areola but the rebound drops straight to Haaland who sweeps it home. Haaland now has 148 goals in 169 appearances for Man City in all competitions. Incredible.
Erling Haaland. That is all. 🤖 pic.twitter.com/Jp0bMFAP3I
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 20, 2025
Manchester City lineup
Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Bernardo Silva, Reijnders; Foden, Haaland, Cherki
West Ham lineup
Areola; Walker-Peters, Todibo, Kilman, Scarles; Magassa, Potts, Fernandes; Paqueta, Bowen, Summerville
Manchester City team news, focus
Rodri continues to be nursed back from injury slowly, while Mateo Kovacic remains out. Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush are both away on AFCON duty, while Jeremy Doku is out with an injury for the next few weeks and that is a big blow given his incredible form this season. John Stones is a doubt, while City’s back four is now very settled and that has led to plenty of solid defensive displays. And when you have Foden and Haaland in this kind of form, you’re confident of winning any game.
West Ham team news, focus
The Hammers are without their two starting full backs for the next few weeks as Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Malick Diouf are both on AFCON duty. It will be intriguing to see what Nuno does with the starting lineup but it could be similar to last time out against Villa with Bowen, Paqueta and Summerville tasked with leading fast counters. It’s likely that West Ham will go to five at the back.
Manchester City vs West Ham preview
Pep Guardiola’s City have clicked through the gears and wracked up six wins in a row in all competitions, including beating Brentford in midweek to reach the League Cup semifinals. They won 3-0 at Crystal Palace last weekend to make it four wins on the spin in the league as Phil Foden is starring and Erling Haaland just keeps on scoring, as City have also a new-found defensive solidity.
West Ham have become solid under Nuno Espirito Santo but lost a thriller 3-2 at home to Aston Villa last weekend, despite leading twice, and remain in the relegation zone. The Hammers have lost just two of their last seven games (drawing their last three in a row on the road) and will sit deep at City and aim to pick them off on the counter.
How to watch Manchester City vs West Ham live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday (December 20)
Venue: Etihad Stadium — East Manchester
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
Manchester City vs West Ham prediction
Given City’s recent form it’s tough to go with anything other than a resounding home win. West Ham can be stubborn, but City will find a way. Manchester City 3-1 West Ham.
