Playing Catch-up! Haaland Double, Reijnders Strike Help Manchester City Down West Ham

Last Updated:December 21, 2025, 07:48 IST

Erling Haaland netted on either side of a Tijjani Reijnders goal to give Pep Guardiola and Co. a 3-0 win in their rout of the Hammers home.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland, left, celebrates with Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol, after scoring his sides third goal of the game during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and West Ham United in Manchester, England, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City temporarily moved to the top of the table after Erling Haaland’s double led them to a 3-0 victory over West Ham, marking City’s seventh consecutive win in all competitions and keeping pressure on Arsenal.

Haaland netted on either side of a Tijjani Reijnders goal to give Pep Guardiola and Co. a 3-0 win in their rout of the Hammers home.

Despite the win, Pep Guardiola expressed dissatisfaction, calling for further improvement if City are to secure their seventh Premier League title during his tenure. “I want to be honest. I said to the players, ‘Merry Christmas everyone, but it will not be enough if we don’t improve’."

West Ham’s concerns were justified when Haaland scored after just five minutes. Haaland then assisted Tijjani Reijnders for City’s second goal just before half-time. Haaland later netted his 38th goal of the season, moving City one point ahead of Arsenal.

Liverpool extended their unbeaten streak to six games, dealing a blow to Spurs’ boss Thomas Frank during the Christmas period. Xavi Simons’ reckless tackle on Virgil van Dijk at 33 minutes created a tough situation for the home team.

With Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations, Alexander Isak again began on the bench. Manager Arne Slot brought on the most expensive Premier League player at the break. The Swede scored his third goal since joining Liverpool for £125 million in September but suffered another injury and had to be substituted. Hugo Ekitike then headed in his fifth goal in three league games to double Liverpool’s lead.

However, Liverpool struggled towards the end when Richarlison scored for Spurs. “The thing in football is you always remember the last few minutes and they were the worst minutes of our total game," said Slot. “It became very chaotic and hectic."

A fifth defeat in nine home league games this season increased the pressure on Frank, exacerbated by captain Cristian Romero’s needless stoppage-time red card. Liverpool climbed to fifth, while Spurs remain down in 13th.

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