Manchester City climbed to the top of the Premier League ahead of Arsenal’s evening kick-off, comfortably dispatching West Ham United 3-0 to extend their unbeaten Premier League streak against the Hammers to 20 games (W17, D3).

Fresh off securing a place in the EFL Cup semi-finals with a sixth consecutive win in all competitions, City came into their final fixture before Christmas brimming with confidence.

The opener arrived early, with Phil Foden finding Erling Haaland. The Norwegian’s initial left-footed shot was saved by Alphonse Areola, but Haaland was quickest to react, slotting the rebound home with his right foot.

City dominated the first half, though Haaland narrowly missed a header that could have doubled the lead. Soon after, Tijjani Reijnders scored his first goal for West Ham with a neat strike following a well-constructed City move, though it offered little reprieve as the hosts maintained relentless pressure. By halftime, West Ham fans were left frustrated, watching their side struggle to contain City’s attacks.

West Ham threatened briefly after the break, with Jarrod Bowen dragging a counter-attack effort wide, but they were unable to mount a serious comeback. The match was effectively sealed in the 69th minute when Haaland netted his second, calmly sweeping home a loose ball in the box to bring his Premier League tally to 19 for the season.

Crysencio Summerville forced a near-post save from Gianluigi Donnarumma shortly after, but by that stage, City were in full control. Haaland came close to completing a hat-trick in stoppage time, but even without it, City’s victory extended their unbeaten record against teams starting the day in the relegation zone to 47 matches (W43, D4).

For West Ham, the defeat leaves them in the drop zone heading into Christmas—a scenario that has occurred five times in the Premier League era. Fans can take some consolation from the fact that the Hammers have avoided relegation on each of the previous occasions.