Erling Haaland Fires as City Triumph to Climb to the Summit.
The Norwegian striker added to his total league goals of the campaign.
Key Points
Pep Guardiola's side take first place in the Premier League following their victory.
Erling Haaland takes his tally to 19 league goals this campaign.
Tijjani Reijnders scores another for City prior to the interval.
Erling Haaland found the net on two occasions to help Manchester City beat beleaguered West Ham United for a fifth straight top-flight triumph.
The win propelled them into first place, one point clear of Arsenal, who can reclaim top spot in their evening fixture.
West Ham, managed by Nuno, needed a strong opening however conceded early inside five minutes when Haaland scored at the second time of asking.
West Ham's defense were cut open with ease and Haaland unbelievably sent a free header wide soon after his opening goal.
The Dutchman did get on the scoresheet shortly before the break, taking Haaland's pass before driving forward and hammering a shot into the roof of the net.
After the interval, the London side tried to claw something back however their forward hit the side netting and dragged another shot wide.
The striker's brace then ensured a miserable Christmas for the Hammers, as they remain stuck inside the bottom three.
City's Performance: A Dominant Display
This was City's seventh straight win in every competition and the team are building the sort of streak that typically ends with major silverware.
The Norwegian's opener and 69th-minute strike extended an astonishing campaign where he has notched 19 league goals.
Once Reijnders thumped home the second, the outcome seemed certain as City stretched their remarkable unbeaten run against sides in the relegation zone.
The goalkeeper denied Phil Foden and Savinho late on, but City's comfortable win means they have not lost against West Ham in two decades of league meetings.
West Ham Analysis: A Miserable Christmas
The traveling support, any hope of a shock triumph vanished within five minutes of kick-off.
Nuno's side have not enjoyed a boost from a coaching change, winning just two and now without a victory in their last six league fixtures.
Consequently, they sit in 18th place, three points adrift, with the deficit potentially widening as rivals have fixtures remaining.
Other than a couple of opportunities for their winger and a set-piece, they offered little trouble for the City keeper.
In the past, West Ham have survived relegation when outside the bottom place at Christmas, offering a faint hope for the current campaign.
What's Next?
Manchester City: They enjoy a week off before returning to action with a trip to Nottingham Forest.
West Ham United: The Hammers host Fulham in London on the identical date.
