Haaland brace helps City beat West Ham 3-0; Cherki shines as Guardiola keeps tight reins

Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 win over West Ham at the Etihad on Saturday, a result driven by Erling Haaland’s continued scoring run and Tijjani Reijnders’ late clincher. Haaland struck early and again after the break, while City’s other key creator, Rayan Cherki, impressed before being withdrawn, illustrating a squad that looks more like a title challenger by the week. City provisionally topped the table, if only for a few hours, before Arsenal's later fixture.

Haaland opened the scoring in the fifth minute, finishing calmly after a swift City move, and his second came in the 69th, a ruthless finish that reflected a striker who is operating at peak efficiency. Reijnders added the third in the 39th minute, firing in from distance after Cherki had already caused problems for West Ham’s defence with a series of inventive touches and passes. Cherki had been the focal point for City in the first half, creating five chances by the interval, including a golden‑opportunity for Haaland that the striker headed well wide from seven yards out as the crowd rose in anticipation of a further goal.

Cherki’s performance stood out in a game that underlined why Guardiola values both brightness and balance. The teenager was head and shoulders above most of his peers during his time on the pitch, with moments of ball manipulation and quick decision‑making that evoked memories of players at the peak of their powers. Yet Guardiola, while clearly delighted with the talent on display, remains disciplined about how his players apply their gifts. He opted to withdraw Cherki in the Carabao Cup midweek after a defensive lapse, underscoring his insistence that flair must be supported by consistency and effort off the ball.

“In his career, I have the feeling he has done whatever he wants,” Guardiola said this week of Cherki, stressing that the French teenager has vast natural ability. “The biggest quality of [Lionel] Messi is the simplicity. The simple things he does perfectly. The big talent that Rayan is, he has to learn a lot of these things. But he's so young. I want players to do the simple things well and, after that, if you have special talent, he can do whatever he wants. But if it does not work, it will be a problem; he will be in trouble.”

For City, the result confirmed a trend of late-season form that suggests a genuine title bid rather than a surge of springtime ambition. Haaland’s goals highlighted a rare blend of fortune and ruthless finishing, and the team’s depth was evident as Reijnders supplied a precise strike that capped a measured performance from the hosts. Guardiola’s decision to make changes during the game reflected a manager who is constantly balancing innovation with structure.

West Ham, in contrast, were unable to sustain pressure and were repeatedly stretched by City’s pace and movement. There were glimpses of quality—Jarrod Bowen flashed a late chance wide, and Crysencio Summerville forced a reaction from Donnarumma with an effort that hit him—yet the visitors could not muster a concerted attack or disrupt City’s rhythm for long enough to threaten a comeback.

The encounter underscored Guardiola’s reputation as a demanding coach who blends meticulous preparation with an eye for the spectacular. After the final whistle he rushed onto the pitch to correct Josko Gvardiol’s positioning, a reminder that even a well‑drilled defense remains under close scrutiny in Guardiola’s system. For West Ham, the day exposed the gap between their current form and City’s relentless standard, a chasm other title contenders will hope to avoid.

City’s triumph strengthens the narrative that they are among the Premier League’s frontrunners, a showman‑level side capable of delivering high‑class football while maintaining the discipline required to win the most challenging matches. The result also tees up a renewed sense of urgency around the league, with rival teams watching City’s progress closely as the season moves toward the business end.