West Ham 1-3 Manchester City: Champions come from behind to end Hammers’ unbeaten start

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West Ham 1-3 Manchester City: Champions Rally to End Hammers’ Unbeaten Streak

In a thrilling clash at the London Stadium, Manchester City showcased their championship mettle by staging a remarkable comeback against a resurgent West Ham United. Second-half goals from Jeremy Doku, Bernardo Silva, and Erling Haaland propelled Manchester City to victory, securing their undefeated start to the Premier League season.

The match kicked off with a surprising twist as James Ward-Prowse’s diving header put the Hammers ahead against the run of play. However, City wasted no time responding, with Doku netting his first goal for the club just 43 seconds into the second half, leveling the score.

But it was the brilliance of Bernardo Silva that truly stole the spotlight. The Portuguese maestro latched onto Julian Alvarez’s perfectly placed pass, calmly slotting the ball past the advancing Alphonse Areola to give City the lead.

Erling Haaland, who had missed a couple of golden opportunities earlier in the game, finally found his mark with a trademark finish, extending City’s lead and sealing the victory.

With this win, Manchester City reasserted their two-point lead over Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table. Meanwhile, West Ham’s impressive start to the season took a hit as they slipped to sixth place.

City’s Patience Rewarded

Manchester City’s first-half performance at the London Stadium was nothing short of impressive. Despite registering a staggering 17 shots before the halftime whistle, they found themselves thwarted repeatedly by West Ham’s resolute defense and the acrobatics of Alphonse Areola.

The drama began early when Areola denied Rodri and Ruben Dias, while Tomas Soucek made a crucial goal-line block from Haaland. Yet, the Norwegian sensation endured a frustrating first half, squandering two glorious opportunities.

As the teams headed into the locker rooms at halftime, it was clear that City needed more of the same in the second half. And they delivered just that, with Jeremy Doku immediately making an impact after the break, showcasing his skill and composure with an expert finish.

Julian Alvarez came close to extending the lead when his free-kick rattled the post, but it was Bernardo Silva who ultimately put City ahead with his precision in front of goal. Haaland’s late strike put the cherry on top, solidifying City’s dominance in the match.

Valiant Hammers Come Up Short

West Ham United, known for their ability to grind out results against stronger opponents, displayed grit and determination once again. Despite having just 22% possession, they almost pulled off another upset against the reigning Premier League champions.

The Hammers had their moments, with Nayef Aguerd coming close to converting Soucek’s near-post flick-on from a clever corner routine involving Ward-Prowse and Jarrod Bowen. The opener, when it came, was executed to perfection, with Vladimir Coufal delivering an exquisite cross for Ward-Prowse to head home.

However, as the second half unfolded, City’s relentless pressure wore down West Ham’s defenses. Even a sensational one-handed save by Ederson to deny Kurt Zouma couldn’t prevent the eventual outcome. Silva’s goal seemed to sap the spirit of the Hammers, and Haaland’s late strike effectively dashed their hopes of salvaging a point.

In the end, the player of the match was undoubtedly James Ward-Prowse, whose pivotal goal temporarily raised hopes for West Ham, but Manchester City’s resilience proved too much to handle.

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More about Manchester City comeback

• BBC Sport: West Ham 1-3 Manchester City – Match Report
• Premier League Official Website
• Manchester City Official Website
• West Ham United Official Website
• The Guardian: Premier League Table
• Erling Haaland Player Profile
• Bernardo Silva Player Profile
• James Ward-Prowse Player Profile