Manchester City 4-1 West Ham: Player Ratings as Haaland's brace ensures City get back to winning ways in style | Premier League 2024-25
Manchester City secured an emphatic 4-1 win against West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday, January 4. The result sees the hosts move to 34 points from 20 games as they sit sixth, while the Hammers remain 13th with 23 points from as many games.
Manchester City made a dominant start to the contest as they kept possession of the ball for extended spells. This pushed West Ham on the backfoot and even resulted in the hosts' opening goal in the 10th minute. Vladimir Coufal directed the ball past Alphonse Areola and into his own net to give City a 1-0 advantage. The visitors failed to find a response to this altogether.
West Ham attempted seven shots in the first half but failed to direct any of those goalwards as their forwards had poor starts to the game. Manchester City did not need a second invitation to take the game by the scruff of the neck as they doubled their advantage. Savinho provided the perfect cross for Erling Haaland, who nodded in at the far post to make it 2-0.
The hosts carried a comfortable 2-0 lead into half-time as they looked to take the result away from West Ham altogether.
Manchester City made their intentions clear early in the second half as they looked to totally eliminate any chances of West Ham mounting a comeback. Haaland doubled his tally 10 minutes into the second half as Savinho bagged his second assist as well. Phil Foden then quadrupled his team's advantage just three minutes later, after being set up by Kevin De Bruyne.
West Ham did put together some decent moves later in the second half but their efforts were too little, too late in terms of the result. The Hammers attempted 10 shots in the second period, with four of those on target, and even bagged themselves a consolation goal. Tomas Soucek provided an assist for Niclas Fullkrug to convert to make it 4-1 after 71 minutes.
Neither side showed any urgency to get on the scoresheet after that point as Manchester City were more than happy with their advantage. They held on to secure a big win, and on that note, let's take a look at their player ratings.
Manchester City Player Ratings
Stefan Ortega - 7/10
He made three saves and also played six long balls in a good performance between the sticks for Manchester City.
Rico Lewis - 6.5/10
Lewis had a mixed game in defence as he failed to win a single of his four duels, but made three clearances. He also attempted one shot on target.
Manuel Akanji - 6.5/10
The Swiss defender won two duels, making one clearance in the process. He also passed the ball with 96% accuracy.
Nathan Ake - 6.5/10
Ake won two duels, making two clearances in the process. He passed the ball with 100% accuracy for his 44 passes.
Josko Gvardiol - 7/10
Gvardiol won five of his six duels, making four clearances and two blocks. He also passed the ball with 92% accuracy as he helped Manchester City advance the ball.
Mateo Kovacic - 7/10
The Croatian midfielder passed the ball with 88% accuracy, including one key pass. He also won eight duels, making six tackles in the process.
Phil Foden - 8/10
Foden passed the ball with 89% accuracy, including two key passes. He also scored a goal in the second half and won four duels as well.
Kevin De Bruyne - 7.5/10
The Manchester City captain had a good game in midfield as he provided one assist. He also played one other key pass and also won one duel.
Bernardo Silva - 7/10
Bernardo had a good game in midfield as he passed the ball with 90% accuracy and won six duels, making one clearance and one interception.
Savinho - 8.5/10
Savinho had a great game as he provided two assists for Haaland to score from. He played one other key pass, won three duels, and also made one clearance and one interception.
Erling Haaland - 8.5/10
Haaland had a good game as he scored a clinical brace to help his team to victory. He also won three of his four duels, making one clearance as well.
Substitutes
Kyle Walker - 6.5/10
He replaced Ake in the second half and helped Manchester City secure the result.
Ilkay Gundogan - 6.5/10
He replaced Kovacic in the second half and put in a decent performance in midfield.
James McAtee & Jack Grealish - N/A
The pair played less than 10 minutes apiece and hence do not warrant a rating.