Haaland Scores Twice as Manchester City Win to Move Top.

The Norwegian goal machine found the net on two occasions to help Manchester City beat struggling West Ham United for a fifth straight Premier League triumph.

This result moved them into first place, a single point ahead of Arsenal, who have a chance to retake top spot in their evening fixture.

The visiting team, managed by Nuno, were desperate for a strong opening but conceded early inside five minutes when Haaland tucked home at the second time of asking.

The Hammers were cut open with ease and Haaland somehow missed a close-range header shortly after his opening goal.

Tijjani Reijnders doubled the lead seven minutes before half-time, taking Haaland's pass before jinking forward and firing a finish into the roof of the net.

In the second half, West Ham sought a consolation however Jarrod Bowen could only find the side netting and dragged another shot wide.

Haaland's second goal sealed a joyless festive period for the visitors, as they remain anchored inside the relegation zone.

City's Performance: A Dominant Display

It marked City's seventh consecutive win in every competition and Pep Guardiola's side are starting to put together the kind of run that typically ends with major silverware.

The Norwegian's opener and second-half finish continued an astonishing campaign where he has notched 19 league goals.

After Reijnders thumped home the second goal, the outcome was never in doubt as City stretched their remarkable unbeaten run against sides in the relegation zone.

The goalkeeper denied Phil Foden and Savinho 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

The traveling support, all optimism of a shock triumph was extinguished within five minutes of kick-off.

The team have failed to see a boost from a coaching change, winning just two and now winless in their last six league games.

This leaves them in 18th place, three points adrift, with the gap potentially widening as other teams have games in hand.

Other than a couple of opportunities for Jarrod Bowen 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, providing a glimmer of hope for the current campaign.

Upcoming Fixtures

Pep Guardiola's men: The side have a break before playing again with a trip to Nottingham Forest.

West Ham United: The Hammers host Fulham at their home ground on the same day.