Haaland Nets a Brace as City Win to Move to the Summit.
The Norwegian striker added to his total league goals of the season.
Match Summary
Pep Guardiola's side move top in the top flight following their victory.
The prolific forward brings his total to 19 strikes in the league this season.
The Dutch midfielder adds a second for City before half-time.
Erling Haaland scored twice to help Manchester City overcome struggling West Ham United for a fifth consecutive top-flight win.
The win propelled them top of the table, a single point ahead of Arsenal, who have a chance to retake top spot later on Saturday.
West Ham, managed by Nuno, needed a strong opening but conceded early inside five minutes when Haaland converted at the second time of asking.
West Ham's defense was breached with ease and Haaland somehow missed a close-range header soon after scoring.
Tijjani Reijnders added a second shortly before the break, collecting Haaland's pass before driving forward and firing a finish into the roof of the net.
In the second half, West Ham tried to claw something back however Jarrod Bowen could only find the side netting and sent another effort off target.
Haaland's second goal then ensured a joyless Christmas for the Hammers, who are stuck inside the bottom three.
City's Performance: Haaland and Team-Mates Looking Imperious
This was City's seventh consecutive win in every competition and Pep Guardiola's side are building the kind of run that typically ends with major silverware.
The Norwegian's opener and 69th-minute strike continued an astonishing campaign where he has notched 19 league goals.
After Reijnders slammed in the second, the outcome seemed certain as City stretched their impressive unbeaten run against sides in the drop zone.
The goalkeeper denied two City players late on, but City's comfortable win means they remain unbeaten against West Ham in two decades of league meetings.
West Ham Analysis: Festive Struggles
For the West Ham fans, any hope of a surprise result was extinguished within five minutes of the start.
The team have not enjoyed a boost from a coaching change, with only two victories and now winless in their last six league games.
This leaves them in 18th place, three points adrift, with the gap could grow as rivals have games in hand.
Aside from a few half-chances for their winger and a well-struck free-kick, they offered little trouble for the opposition goalkeeper.
In the past, West Ham have avoided the drop when outside the bottom place at Christmas, offering a faint hope for this season.
Upcoming Fixtures
Manchester City: The side have a break before returning to action with a visit to Nottingham Forest.
Nuno's team: They welcome Fulham at their home ground on the same day.
