Erling Haaland and Manchester Metropolis despatched a warning to the remainder of the Premier League of their 2-0 win over West Ham United at London’s Olympic Stadium on Sunday.
If the Norwegian star striker might rating two targets whereas nonetheless studying learn how to play in Pep Guardiola’s system, how’s it going to look when he is comfy?
[ MORE: What we learned from Man Utd 1-2 Brighton ]
Haaland received and transformed a first-half penalty then teamed up with Kevin De Bruyne to finish his brace in highlight-reel style throughout a second half that not often noticed the Premier League champions in search of the ball.
All-in-all, it was a terrifying sight for golf equipment who know that West Ham is better-seasoned than a lot of their Premier League rivals.
WATCH WEST HAM vs MANCHESTER CITY FULL MATCH REPLAY
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What we discovered from West Ham vs Manchester Metropolis
Metropolis’s new potential is limitless
That is extra confirmed than discovered as a result of most observers believed Erling Haaland would do exactly high quality within the Premier League, however seeing is believing as a mix of a limitless motor with Erling Haaland’s bodily blessings is sort of an excessive amount of to fathom.
The large Norwegian was a risk to attain in almost each possession. He did not look tremendous tidy within the small areas however he was in the fitting locations and that ought to ship truthful warning to the remainder of the continent that the transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester Metropolis’s going to be a really, very productive one.
West Ham goes to be high quality, and Scamacca exhibits promise
A report crowd hit a West Ham match to see their boys tackle the champs and possibly will not be too stunned on the consequence.
However new signing Gianluca Scamacca supplied them with hope that he is their long-sought megastar middle ahead.
That is to not say that Michail Antonio hasn’t been a star and really servicable, however the motive the Irons are all the time linked with a brand new ahead is that they’ve but to seek out that subsequent stage past an Antonio or Marko Arnautovic (How Sebastien Haller did not work out stays a puzzle).
With gamers like Jarrod Bowen, Pablo Fornals, Manuel Lanzini, and Stated Benrahma able to playmaking with the easiest in England on their day, having a world-class finisher may very well be the sting the Irons want to achieve the subsequent step of their European journey .
Scamacca was brilliant in his substitute’s position and each consolation and health ought to mix to provide the Sassuolo man nearly as good an opportunity as any to be their reply.
Tactical focus
It is over-simplifying to say that Metropolis solely wanted one tactic on Sunday, particularly contemplating that Pep Guardiola had two very inverted fullbacks in a system that deserves loads of evaluation, however simply take a look at the play that led to Haaland’s penalty.
Haaland’s repeated drives towards the Metropolis again line compelled West Ham’s defenders to make the very powerful and never all the time apparent choice: Do I cheat and hope to stick with this explosive specimen, or do I hope he is offside, realizing that if I am fallacious I ‘ve allowed one of many world’s most scientific finishers 1v1 with my goalkeeper.
Here is a time he was onside, and the keeper was not ready for the deft touches that someway are part of such a strong package deal.
Stars of the present
Erling Haaland: Sufficient was mentioned above, however this is his identify once more. Good luck, Golden Boot chasers.
Kevin De Bruyne: Heard of him? The Premier League Participant of the 12 months seems to be able to roar in a World Cup 12 months.
Rodri: He is simply all the time there. If the Spaniard is not on the ball, he is round it or in the fitting place to get it. One of many world’s best footballers.
Phil Foden: He simply turned 22 in Could…. and he is solely getting higher.
Declan Rice: West Ham stored grinding and it is tough for the Irons to have any passengers when their captain is working this tough.
What’s subsequent?
West Ham heads to what might be a rowdy Nottingham Forest for a 9am ET Sunday scrap, in the future after Metropolis hosts Bournemouth in a uncommon 10am ET Saturday tilt.
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West Ham vs Man Metropolis: Helllloooo, Haaland initially appeared on NBCSports.com