Pep Guardiola has set a new Premier League managerial record after his Manchester City side battled to a 4-1 win over West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
The Citizens were by far from perfect, but they managed to get the better of the Hammers as they welcomed in 2025 in winning fashion, securing back-to-back victories for the first time in 70 days after beating Leicester City 2-0 last time out.
Erling Haaland netted either side of half time and became the third highest Premier League scorer at the Etihad Stadium in the process, extending his goal tally to 46 overall - only behind Sergio Aguero (106) and Raheem Sterling (51).
The Norwegian was set up for both of his goals by Man of the Match Savinho, who had earlier helped Man City open the scoring in the 10th-minute when his cross deflected off Vladimir Coufal and left Alphonse Areola stranded.
Phil Foden tapped home a fourth for Man City on the 66-minute mark after being assisted by the unselfish Kevin De Bruyne on his 400th appearance for the hosts, before Niclas Fullkrug's strike five minutes later proved to be no more than a consolation for West Ham.
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Guardiola sets fresh PL record after beating West Ham
Victory for sixth-placed Man City - just their third in 15 games across all competitions - has seen then move to within two points of fourth-placed Chelsea, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace, while the Citizens also prevented seventh-placed Bournemouth - who beat Everton 1-0 - from leapfrogging them in the table.
Guardiola's latest triumph has also seen the Catalan set a new Premier League record, as he has become the first manager in the division's history to go 18 games without defeat against the same opponent, winning 16 times and drawing twice against West Ham.
While many will argue that a number of positives can be taken from City's success over the Hammers, Guardiola insisted after the match that his team "didn't play good" against Julen Lopetegui's men.
Asked if the old Man City are on their way back, Guardiola told reporters: "You judge results... We saw over eight or nine years our level, and we are not at our level. We won, we're so happy - it'll help us... You judge results, but our performance was not good!"
He added: "Our game is still not with composure. We accelerate everything, but at the same time we struggled a lot with results lately. The last two victories and in the last three games we didn't lose, so it's good.
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Guardiola urges Man City players to avoid "big mistake"
"We were lucky with the first goal. [West Ham] were better in the first minutes, they could've gone 0-1, 0-2, we were lucky and needed composure. But the second goal helped, an incredible, fantastic second goal, but still we are not like we were.
"Normally when you are many years here, the players think that they deserve something special with what they have done, and that is a big mistake - a big mistake! They have to prove it again, and again, and again, and again.
"Against Everton, we played much, much better than today and we draw (1-1 on Boxing Day). 'Oh big crisis, disaster'... Of course [today] there are an incredible lot of positives, but if you ask me if the team is playing like we played for the last years, no! Absolutely not!"
Guardiola was impressed with the performance of Savinho, though, telling BBC Match of the Day: "He was brilliant. He is one of the few that is fresh. There were glimpses of brilliance. I'm really, really happy for the work ethic - it's unbelievable for all of us."
Man City will now turn their attention to the third round of the FA Cup and will welcome League Two outfit Salford City to the Etihad Stadium next weekend.
Oliver Thomas
