Erling Haaland announced his return to Premier League action in emphatic style on Saturday, netting twice as Manchester City swept aside West Ham United 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium in their opening match of the 2026/27 campaign. The Norwegian striker looked as sharp as ever, confirming that Pep Guardiola's side are once again ready to challenge for every trophy available to them this season.
Haaland opened the scoring inside 12 minutes with a near-post header from a Kevin De Bruyne cross, before adding his second of the afternoon with a typically ruthless finish just after the hour mark. The 26-year-old now has over 100 Premier League goals to his name since joining City from Borussia Dortmund, a record that continues to rewrite the history books in English football.
Guardiola was effusive in his praise for the striker after the full-time whistle, noting that Haaland arrived for pre-season in the best physical shape he has seen from the player. The Norwegian's movement off the ball and combination play with Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva gave West Ham no answers throughout, and the only surprise on the afternoon was that City did not add even more to their tally.
For West Ham, the defeat is a sobering start to a season in which they will need to improve significantly on last campaign's mid-table showing. City, by contrast, look ominously ready. With De Bruyne pulling the strings and Haaland leading the line, the title race may already be heading in one direction.
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