(Football news) Reigning champions Manchester City began their title defence in confident fashion after securing a 2-0 win over West Ham United. It was a record crowd at the London Stadium with 62,443 fans in attendance, the biggest for any club based in the city but for all the support, the Hammers simply weren’t a match for new signing Erling Haaland or the sublime performance by Ilkay Gundogan who Pep Guardiola described as the “most important” component for City’s victory.
The Hammers were forced to switch their goalkeeper in the first half and an injured Lukasz Fabianski was replaced by Alphonse Areola. It was the substitute goalkeeper who was at the centre of the opening goal after he fouled Erling Haaland in the box after the Norwegian was at the receiving end of a pinpoint cross by Ilkay Gundogan. Areola’s challenge on Haaland was subsequently penalised and the Norwegian duly converted from 12 yards in the 26th minute to open his account with Manchester City in the Premier League.
Haaland then became the second striker in Manchester City’s history to score twice on his debut (the first being Sergio Aguero in August 2011). The 22 year old applied the finishing touch from a defence splitting pass by Kevin De Bruyne in the 65th minute to double his team’s advantage. Speaking after the match, Man City manager Pep Guardiola said that Haaland has been quick to adapt to the Premier League champions’ style of play and described him as a “weapon” following his brace against West Ham.
Guardiola said “Last two years we couldn't do it here. We made an exceptional performance everywhere today. We were much more aggressive. Against Liverpool it was really, really poor, but today we played really well. Of course, Erling scoring his first two goals is important for him. He has a good threat. Another weapon that we have now, but he isn't going to solve all of our problems. We talk about the team, the way we want to play, the way we want to create chances. We found the right moments with the goals today.
"One week ago he could not adapt in the Premier League, now he's alongside Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer and Cristiano Ronaldo. We want all the new guys to be happy. Feel happy in the city, feel happy in the team. We want to try and give everything to him to become a better player. He was very calm in handling a lot of criticism this week. The way he took the ball for the penalty, I like that. You need to show ambition. I really like that. What I want is 'be part of something'. The debate is over, I know he is going to score goals. I was fortunate as a manager to be with (Lionel) Messi; if he scores one he wants two, two he wants three. The top strikers are never satisfied. They are always hungry, starving. But I want to involve all of the new players. Fresh legs and fresh minds, then onto the next one."
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