Haaland scores twice on his Premier League debut

A brace from new signing Erling Haaland helps Manchester City to a comfortable 2-0 win at the start of their defence of the Premier League title.

Action: Manchester City started off their title defence in great style with a dominant performance over the Hammers.

The Citizens took the lead after 36 minutes, when substitute goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, who replaced Lukasz Fabianski in the 29th minute, fouled Erling Haaland in the box and from the penalty spot with what was the very first shot on target of his Premier League career.

With Pep Guardiola's men confortable in the game, David Moyes, brought on summer signing Italian striker Gianluca Scamacca and Said Benrahma, but it was the visitors who scored again.

Haaland doubled City's lead with a well-taken low finish into the far corner, after running onto Kevin De Bruyne's through ball to make it a debut to remember.

The reigning champions held their two-goal advantage and took the three points back to Manchester.

Big Picture: After a disappointing defeat in the Community Shield against Liverpool last week, the Citizens turned things around with a win in their start of their defence of the Premier League.

A win, a clean sheet and their new front man bagging a brace in their Premier League debut. A perfect afternoon for Man City and Pep Guardiola.

City are looking to build on what they did today next Saturday when they host newly promoted Bournemouth, while the Hammers will  travel to Nottingham Forest.

xG: West Ham (0.34) 0-2 (1.81) Man City

Stat of the Day: Erling Haaland is the second Manchester City player to score a brace on his Premier League debut, following Sergio Agüero in August 2011.

🗣 "It's almost 30 minutes since I scored the last goal, so I have to keep going."

Erling Haaland's mentality about scoring in the Premier League 💪 pic.twitter.com/rCCBMjjeBu

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 7, 2022