West Ham United 0–5 Manchester City
Manchester City got their 2019/20 Premier League campaign off to a winning start in the early Saturday kick-off at the London Stadium with a stunning 5-0 win over West Ham.
Of course, it’s early days, but after Liverpool beat Norwich City 4-1 last night, City showed that anything Jurgen Klopp’s team can do, they can do better. It took the Sky Blues a while to get into their stride, but when they did the football was irresistible as Raheem Sterling helped himself to a hat-trick.
SBOBET predictions will fall in line with the whole of the football betting world when it comes to this year’s Premier League. We reckon the Blue Moon will continue to rise!
Highlights of the game
After winning a second consecutive Premier League title last season, the Sky Blues are on a mission to make it three from three. And they know how to play the long game, so much so that Pep Guardiola chose to start with Sergio Aguero and Bernardo Silva on the bench.
City’s signing of Rodri was seen as the key summer move by Guardiola and he made a start in the midfield. He initially looked a little surprised by the pace of the game as West Ham’s forwards harried him for the ball.
The Hammers were taking the game to the champions at first but conceded the opening chance when Riyad Mahrez tried to bend a shot into the bottom corner. Lukasz Fabianski got down well to turn the ball wide, though.
When City took the lead, it was thanks to a blistering run down the right flank by Kyle Walker, who squared for Jesus to flick a smart finish beyond Fabianski and into the net.
The two almost combined a couple of minutes later, but this time Fabian Balbuena made a superb last-ditch tackle. Walker was causing havoc in the Hammers’ defence, but they recovered to go in just a goal down at half-time.
But they only lasted seven minutes of the second half before the champions doubled their lead. Kevin De Bruyne slipped an inch-perfect ball through to Sterling, and he slid the ball through the West Ham keeper’s legs and into the net.
Then we had the first VAR drama of the new Premier League season after a beautiful move by City. Sky Blues captain David Silva put Sterling in and he crossed for Jesus to convert for what he thought was his second. But the home fans celebrated like they’d scored a goal when VAR found Sterling to be an inch or so offside.
At 2-0 down, the hosts were still just about in it, and they almost halved the deficit on the hour with their best effort of the match. Robert Snodgrass crossed for Issa Diop and his header flew just over the bar. Then, Ederson made a fine double save to deny Javier Hernandez and Felipe Anderson.
But it was game over on 75 minutes when Mahrez lifted a ball over the Hammers’ backline to Sterling, and he, in turn, chipped the ball over the exposed Fabianski. VAR took another look but this time it didn’t save the hosts as Sterling was marginally onside.
The video technology was in action again when Diop felled Mahrez in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Fabianski saved substitute Aguero’s spot kick, but he had another chance as Declan Rice had encroached into the penalty area. Aguero was never going to spurn a second opportunity and he sent the keeper the wrong way.
And Sterling rounded off the rout in injury time with Mahrez the provider again as he rolled the ball past a helpless Fabianski.
Key statistics
The pre-match West Ham United vs Manchester City betting tips all pretty much backed a winning start for the Sky Blues and they stole a march in the first half, having eight shots on goal (four on target) to West Ham’s one.
By the end of the game, the Sky Blues had peppered the West Ham goalkeeper on nine occasions, and he did well to save four!
Gabriel Jesus loves a trip to the capital city. He’s scored in each of his last five starts in London, but the plaudits go to hat-trick hero Sterling.
What’s next?
After winning the Community Shield last week, a trophy which Pep values higher than some managers, his team has started the new campaign in perfect fashion.
The first two Premier League 2019 results are in, and as of 3 pm UK time, the Sky Blues are top. And I wouldn’t bet against them being there next May.
Next up, Manchester City have a crunch home game against Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs. Win that and the signs will be ominous for their rivals.
West Ham captain Mark Noble has said his team needs to show more consistency this season, but he can’t put too much importance on this result.
Nest week, the Hammers have an away match on the South Coast in Brighton. The Seagulls avoided relegation by a whisker last season and, having sacked head coach Chris Hughton, could be in real trouble this term. That’s a game West Ham should win.
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