Easy. As if nothing. A team that fights for the title against another that wants to avoid relegation. One has to Haaland and the other doesn’t. That’s how predictable Saturday’s clash was in the Etihad Stadium. And so it was resolved. Routine. With two goals of Haalandwho already has 24 goals this season. Reijnders scored the other goal of a City that surpassed Arsenal in the standings, putting pressure on the Londoners, who must then face Everton in Liverpool.
The light blues danced in a corner, after five minutes. Seconds after Haaland open the can, finishing off a center of The foot first, and hunting the rejection of Areola after. He didn’t miss the second timeand the match soon began to go downhill. Without being an avalanche, but without wasting a moment in attacking West Ham’s goal, City continued to produce scoring chances. Haaland failed to direct a powerful header between the three posts in the tenth minute, and 25 minutes later it was Reijnders who had a good opportunity that Areola cleared.
The Dutchman was redone shortly after. In the 38th minute, he retaliated by scoring the second goal of the afternoon. In a brilliant action, several light blue players moved the ball on one tile each. First Cherkiwith a quick movement of feet to get away from his mark and find Haalandwhich in turn saw the arrival of Reijnders. Another dance, and another goal. There the options died West Hamand the second half became a mere formality.
Although the Londoners threatened to wage war, yes. First Pottsthen Fernándezand then Bowen. A mirage. The dominance continued to be local, as well as the arrivals at the rival goal. Less common, but just as effective. Haaland He scored his second goal to close the scoring in the 69th minute. Savinho and Nunes They combined on the right wing, West Ham didn’t know what to do and Lewis took the opportunity to assist Haaland. Powerful shot, accurate shot. And end of the game. There was time, however, for the Norwegian to score a hat-trick, but his shot went wide in the fourth minute of added time.
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Changes
Ezra Mayers (63′, Ollie Scarles), Savinho (66′, Rayan Cherki), Rico Lewis (66′, Tijjani Reijnders), Abdukodir Khusanov (66′, Nico González), Divine Mukasa (74′, Bernardo Silva), Tomas Soucek (77′, Lucas Paquetá), Konstantinos Mavropanos (78′, Crysencio Summerville), Guido Rodriguez (78′, Mateus Fernandes), Callum Wilson (78′, Freddie Potts)
Goals
1-0, 4′: Erling Braut Haaland2-0, 37′: Tijani Reijnders3-0, 68′: Erling Braut Haaland
Cards
Referee: Paul Tierney
Arbitro VAR: Alex Chilowicz, Dan Robathan
Nico Gonzalez (27′, Yellow), Jarrod Bowen (40′,Yellow)
