Erling Haaland Scores Twice as Manchester City Win to Climb to the Summit.
Erling Haaland took his tally Premier League strikes of the season.
Key Points
Manchester City go to the summit in the Premier League with a win.
Erling Haaland takes his tally to 19 strikes in the league this campaign.
The Dutch midfielder finds the net for City before half-time.
Erling Haaland scored twice to fire Manchester City overcome beleaguered West Ham United for a fifth consecutive top-flight triumph.
The win sent them top of the table, one point clear of Arsenal, who can reclaim top spot later on Saturday.
West Ham, managed by Nuno, were desperate for a positive start but conceded early inside five minutes when Haaland converted at the second time of asking.
West Ham's defense were cut open all too easily and Haaland somehow missed a close-range header shortly after scoring.
The Dutchman added a second seven minutes before half-time, collecting Haaland's pass before driving forward and firing a shot into the top corner.
After the interval, West Ham tried to claw something back but Jarrod Bowen hit the side netting and dragged another shot wide.
The striker's brace then ensured a miserable festive period for the Hammers, who are anchored inside the relegation zone.
City's Performance: A Dominant Display
It marked City's seventh straight win in all competitions and the team are building the sort of streak that often leads to major silverware.
The Norwegian's opener and 69th-minute strike extended an astonishing season where he has notched 19 in the Premier League.
After Reijnders thumped home the second goal, the outcome seemed certain as City stretched their remarkable unbeaten run against sides in the drop zone.
The goalkeeper saved from Phil Foden and Savinho late on, yet City's comfortable win means they have not lost against West Ham in two decades of league meetings.
West Ham Analysis: A Miserable Christmas
The traveling support, all optimism of a shock triumph vanished almost immediately of the start.
Nuno's side have not enjoyed a boost from a coaching change, winning just two and now winless in their last six league games.
Consequently, they sit 18th in the table, three points from safety, with the deficit could grow as rivals have fixtures remaining.
Aside from a couple of opportunities for their winger and a set-piece, they offered little trouble for the City keeper.
In the past, West Ham have avoided the drop when outside the bottom place at Christmas, offering a faint hope for the current campaign.
Upcoming Fixtures
Pep Guardiola's men: The side have a break before playing again with a trip to Nottingham Forest.
West Ham United: They host Fulham at their home ground on the same day.