Haaland makes the difference for Manchester City at Premier League debut | NOW

Manchester City started the Premier League season well with a 0-2 win over West Ham United on Sunday. Erling Haaland made the difference on his Premier League debut for the team that is chasing its third league title in a row.

Eleven weeks ago, Manchester City secured the championship in a thrilling showdown by beating Aston Villa 3-2. During the past season it was often about the lack of a classic goal-getter at ‘The Citizens’. With Haaland, manager Josep Guardiola hopes to have filled that vacancy.

The 22-year-old Norwegian, who last week remained dry during the 3-1 loss of the Community Shield against Liverpool, showed at the Olympic Stadium in London that he needs little adjustment time.

Haaland was often involved in the visitors’ attacking play and it was the striker who forced a penalty after 35 minutes by going after the ground after contact with goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. The Norwegian used the penalty flawlessly.

Although Manchester City (with Nathan Ake ninety minutes in the lines) did not play at the top of their game, West Ham United hardly got involved. The Londoners lacked the creativity to create opportunities and when the team started to play a little more forward after the break, the dispute was quickly settled. Kevin De Bruyne knew what to do with the extra space and with a nice pass he launched Haaland, who finished convincingly.

Hat trick for Haaland is out

The Norwegian celebrated his Bundesliga debut in 2020 by making a hat-trick on behalf of Borussia Dortmund as a substitute against FC Augsburg, but his baptism of fire in the Premier League was not possible.

West Ham United did not come close to the connection goal and the introduction of debutant Gianluca Scamacca (the ex-player of PSV and PEC Zwolle who came over from Sassuolo for about 35 million euros) could not alarm the visitors.

With the win, Manchester City takes full advantage of Liverpool’s draw against Fulham (2-2) on Saturday. Earlier in the day, fellow townsman Manchester United went down 1-2 against Brighton & Hove Albion in Erik ten Hag’s debut.