Manchester City opens Premier League title defense with 5-0 win over West Ham


Manchester City kicked off their title defence in style with a 5-0 win on the road to West Ham United, moving level on points with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.

Both sides took their time to find their rhythm, and while West Ham enjoyed more of the ball in dangerous areas, it was City who threatened with long-range efforts from Riyad Mahrez and David Silva.

As the first-half started to liven up, Kyle Walker showed off his athleticism to create space on the right-wing and the England international teed up Gabriel Jesus, who sneaked in front of Fabian Balbuena to break the deadlock at London Stadium.

Chances were few and far between throughout the rest of the first-half, but shortly after the break a surging run from Kevin De Bruyne opened up space for Raheem Sterling on the left side who slotted the ball underneath Lukasz Fabianski to double their lead.



Sterling then turned provider for Jesus to round off a stunning team move, but the Video Assistant Referee intervened and chalked the goal out for offside - even though on second viewing it appeared only the England international's arm was beyond the last man.

Ederson was then called into an outstanding double save to keep out shots from Javier Hernandez and Manuel Lanzini, while at the other end Sterling raced onto Mahrez's through ball to score City's third of the match with a nonchalant chip.

Mahrez was then involved soon after to win City a penalty, but substitute Sergio Aguero fired an awful penalty straight at Fabianski. Fortunately for City, the VAR ordered the spot-kick to be retaken which the Argentine made no mistake at the second time of asking. 



Sterling then rounded off the scoring to complete his hat-trick, latching onto the end of another pass from Mahrez before rolling the ball past a helpless Fabianski.

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