By the editorial staff
Published ,
Update
Doku, scorer of Manchester City’s first goal ANDREW BOYERS / REUTERS
The Citizens, once trailing, won on the Hammers pitch (1-3), while Tottenham achieved a small miracle against Sheffield (2-1).
West Ham will have believed in it for a period, the first obviously. Thanks to a goal from James Ward-Prowse, the Hammers indeed returned to their locker room in the lead ahead of Manchester City (1-0). But the second period turned completely to the advantage of the visitors, who equalized thanks to the former Rennais Doku (46th), before Bernardo Silva (76th) and finally the inevitable Erling Haaland (86th) gave the victory to the Citizens (1-3). For its part, Tottenham narrowly dominated Sheffield (2-1) thanks to two goals from Richarlison and Kulusevski in stoppage time.
Highly anticipated, this undefeated clash between Hammers and Skyblues kept all its promises at the London Stadium. Confident of its strength, Manchester City entered the game very well, calling on Alphonse Areola through Rodri (three times) then Dias on the same billiard shot (7th). Haaland then missed an almost ready-made goal for an attacker of his caliber by not targeting his recovery from a cross from Doku (15th). Hampered by the pressing and mobility of Pep Guardiola’s men, West Ham held back until they achieved the perfect shot. Following poor control from the very active Doku, Coufal played a one-two with Bowen before placing the ball on Ward-Prowse’s head at close range (36th). Despite a second huge opportunity for Haaland, saved on the line by Aguerd (42nd), the Londoners returned to the locker room with a short advantage.
Doku (re)launched the machine
David Moyes’ building ultimately only lasted 45 seconds in the second half, before City (finally) found the fault. The lightning came from Doku, author of a magnificent right shot into the side net (46th). The citizen machine was launched and the waves followed one another on Areola’s goal, very good this Saturday. Alvarez hit the post with a free kick (53rd) and Haaland came up against the French goalkeeper’s saves (54th, 65th). His much less requested alter ego, Ederson, still disgusted Zouma (61st) during the Hammers’ only real situation in the last half hour. By pushing, the European champion made his opponent bend twice, first Bernardo Silva as a trickster on a serve from Alvarez (82nd) then the Norwegian goleador in force (87th), finally in success after several frustrations in front of the cage.
Jostled but ultimately ultra-dominant (29 shots, 15 on target), Manchester City logically dominates West Ham (3-1) and has a 5th success in as many days. The defending champion is already at the top of the Premier League, two points ahead of Liverpool and… Tottenham (13 points), miracle winner of Sheffield United (2-1) at home. Trailing after a goal from Haimer (73rd), the Spurs overturned everything on the gong thanks to Richarlison (90+8th) and Kulusevski (90+10th). For its part, Manchester United sank against Brighton (1-3), conceding its third loss of the season. Welbeck (20th), Gross (53rd) and Joao Pedro (71st) scored for the Seagulls before Mejbri (73rd) reduced the score. In full doubt, the Red Devils are 12th in the championship with 6 units.