Former American duo fail to prevent West Ham United from defeat

Americanist duo appeared Edson Alvarez and Guido Rodriguez They shared midfield for the first time in the Premier League. A duo that gave America the 13th was reunited, but now in England and with West Ham, playing against one of the best teams in the world and that in the end the participation of the Mexican and the Argentine could not avoid. the defeat against the prestigious Manchester City 3-1.

Seven goals from Erling Haaland in three Premier League games make Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City untouchable, already the sole leader after Arsenal’s draw with Brighton, awaiting what Liverpool do at Old Trafford, after shattering Julen Lopetegui’s plan and a West Ham who sought punishment in transition, but gave in to the power of the Norwegian.

The first was close to the left post; a powerful left-footed shot was centred on the second; a quality finish in a one-on-one, chipping the ball as the goalkeeper came out on the third. Haaland’s recital includes a wide variety in finishing. Uncontrollable on the run.

Displaying power and striking power to destroy any plan prepared by the strategist Julen Lopetegui, he collapsed from inefficiency to stop the powerful Norwegian striker who passed over Kilman and Mavropanos. City are unstoppable, even without Rodri in charge. Already on the bench but without minutes.

They go into the break with a meritorious full of victories. They beat Chelsea and West Ham away from the Etihad in two first demanding away games. They have gone 22 games without being defeated by any rival in their league in 2024. The party for the android has begun Unscathed City, when they began to dominate they were quick to generate danger and Haaland was quick to forgive the only one he had.

With a header, he got the first warning after a cross from Bernardo Silva. In the 11th minute he did not miss the second, punishing an inaccuracy at the start of the play that is never advisable against a big team. It was committed by Emerson and Paquetá, Bernardo Silva passed the ball into space and the ‘matador’ fired the shot on the run just under the post.

West Ham’s reaction was more allied to luck than merit. City had deserved the second goal with Grealish, starting due to Savinho’s injury, and sending Doku to the right flank, slow to finish, and for Areola’s brilliant save from De Bruyne’s angled shot heading into the top corner. The woodwork repelled another shot from the Belgian midfielder.

And it was in a counterattack in which Bowen followed Lopetegui’s plan, despite running alone against the world and not having any finishers, when his cross hit Rúben Dias and slipped into his goal for the equalizer after half an hour of play.

A key moment in the match in which decisive players appear, such as De Bruyne, who took control of the match with a repertoire of quality gestures, and, of course, Haaland, who came up with the second one out of nowhere.

He received the ball with his right foot and in tenths of a second he unleashed an unstoppable left-footed shot high. With the opponent’s goal always in mind, even before receiving the ball, Haaland was the determining factor in a match which could have been decided in the final stretch of the first half if Rico Lewis, Bernardo’s header alone or a free kick that brushed the crossbar by De Bruyne had turned into the third. West Ham always wanted to take advantage of Kudus’ extra life, who even crashed into the woodwork in a counterattack.

But when Lopetegui increased the speed, his rival numbed the rhythm in the second act from the possession of Guardiola’s midfield, including Gündogan when needed.

It was just a matter of time… and Haaland would reappear. And he did as soon as he had space to run, mark the pass to Nunes and gently chip the ball into the net in a new demonstration of a goal devourer who even came close to scoring a fourth, always hungry for more, in the 95th minute.

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