Haaland

The €60million summer signing scored what are likely to be the first of many goals for the champions.

The Norwegian could have marked his latest debut with yet another hat-trick, but he had to settle for two after heading a Jack Grealish cross over the bar. There was only one player who was going to take the penalty, and he expertly sent Areola the wrong way with a low spot-kick which clipped a post on its way in. Moments later, City did have the ball in the net after Haaland laid it off to Ilkay Gundogan, but the midfielder was pulled up for offside as he squared for Kevin De Bruyne to tuck away.

New Manchester City signing Erling Haaland marked his Premier League debut with a double as the champions began their title defence with a clinical 2-0 ...

Manager David Moyes brought on Said Benrahma and new signing Gianluca Scamacca just before the hour mark in an attempt to change West Ham's fortunes but Haaland doubled City's lead minutes after and the visitors comfortably saw out the win. West Ham forward Michail Antonio had headed wide in the opening stages and De Bruyne easily cleared Jarrod Bowen's free-kick just before halftime, but the hosts struggled to make their mark on the game in a largely toothless attacking display. City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne then defended a series of crosses before slipping through a delightful pin-point pass to Haaland, who timed his run to perfection and slotted home with a fine left-footed finish in the 65th minute.

Erling Haaland marked his Premier League debut with two statement strikes as champions Manchester City brushed West Ham aside with ease.

His first came in the 36th minute from a penalty he had won himself, bursting on to Ilkay Gundogan's pass and tricking substitute goalkeeper Alphonse Areola into bringing him down. The ex-Borussia Dortmund man made it 2-0 in the 65th minute with another example of how he can power beyond defences. But he showed exactly why Pep Guardiola had been so keen to sign him with an assured finish in each half at a subdued London Stadium.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match at London Stadium. Picture date: Sunday ...

The pass was a thing of wondrous beauty and, as Haaland peeled down the inside-right channel and opened up his body to work on the ball on to his left foot, there cannot have been a single person inside the ground who thought he was going to miss. Gündogan wasted a good chance and the game was safe when De Bruyne sliced West Ham open with 25 minutes to go. They played with more energy in the second half and Moyes gambled, replacing Antonio with his new £35.5m striker, Gianluca Scamacca. There were brief flickers from West Ham. Saïd Benrahma, also on as a substitute, gave Ederson something to do with a tame shot. It was a clear penalty and there was no doubt in Haaland’s mind when he stepped up to take it. West Ham wanted to hit City on the break, with Jarrod Bowen’s runs in from the right flank a concern for João Cancelo, but too often a lack of quality let them down. With Antonio unable to hold the ball up, the pressure became incessant.

Erling Haaland bagged a brace on his Premier League debut to inspire City to a 2-0 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium.

View the gallery below for the best pictures from a superb victory. City remained professional to secure the three points, kicking off our defence of the title in perfect fashion! Pep Guardiola's men began our defence of the Premier League in confident fashion, dominating possession in the capital.