Man City's new partnership showed why Premier League rivals should fear them vs West Ham

Erling Haaland made the difference as Manchester City made an awkward away game look easy to pick up three valuable Premier League points.

At the ground where a missed spotkick in the penultimate match of last season set up a nervier final day - and nervier than anyone could have imagined! - Pep Guardiola's new No.9 planted the ball on the spot after being fouled in the area and slammed home his first in the league to break the deadlock. It was a terrific City performance, but it was Haaland who ultimately made their dominance count with two goals.

City lost to Tottenham on the opening weekend last year and saw their biggest threat to another title, Liverpool, held by Fulham on Saturday, so were already prepared for a difficult assignment first up. Perhaps because they have struggled so much against David Moyes's team in recent years, however, they came prepared to combat what they were up against.

Also read: Man City player ratings in West Ham win

Having treated this like one of their many London playgrounds by winning the first four games with an aggregate score of 17-1, things have become increasingly difficult for City in this stadium that has acclimatised to hosting football matches despite never threatening to come close to Upton Park for atmosphere. They struggled here two years ago when Phil Foden was needed off the bench to salvage a draw, were knocked out of the Carabao Cup last season and then fell two goals behind in May before coming from behind in the second half only for Riyad Mahrez to miss a penalty to win it.

If the last game here was charged because it was Mark Noble's farewell, this time was the first home game of a new season that promises much with Declan Rice the new captain and an increased