Erling Haaland Nets a Brace as City Claim Victory to Move to the Summit.
The Norwegian striker added to his total Premier League strikes of the campaign.
Match Summary
Manchester City move top in the Premier League following their victory.
The prolific forward takes his tally to 19 strikes in the league this season.
Tijjani Reijnders finds the net for City prior to the interval.
Erling Haaland scored twice to fire Manchester City beat beleaguered West Ham United for a fifth consecutive Premier League victory.
The win propelled them to the league's summit, a single point ahead of their title rivals, a side that have a chance to retake top spot in their evening fixture.
West Ham, managed by Nuno, needed a positive start however found themselves behind inside five minutes when Haaland tucked home at the second attempt.
The Hammers were cut open with ease and Haaland somehow sent a free header wide soon after scoring.
Tijjani Reijnders doubled the lead shortly before the break, collecting Haaland's pass before jinking forward and hammering a shot into the top corner.
In the second half, the London side tried to claw something back but their forward hit the side netting and sent another effort off target.
Haaland's second goal then ensured a miserable Christmas for the Hammers, who are anchored inside the bottom three.
Manchester City Analysis: Haaland and Team-Mates Looking Imperious
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.
Haaland's early goal and second-half finish extended an astonishing campaign where he has scored 19 league goals.
Once Reijnders slammed in the second, the outcome seemed certain as City stretched their remarkable unbeaten run against sides in the drop zone.
The goalkeeper saved from two City players late on, but City's comfortable win means they have not lost against West Ham in two decades of league meetings.
Hammers' Troubles: A Miserable Christmas
The traveling support, all optimism of a surprise result vanished almost immediately of kick-off.
Nuno's side have failed to see a new managerial bounce, winning just two and now without a victory in their past six league games.
This leaves them 18th in the table, three points adrift, with the gap potentially widening as other teams have games in hand.
Aside from a few half-chances for Jarrod Bowen and a well-struck free-kick, they created minimal trouble for the opposition goalkeeper.
In the past, West Ham have avoided the drop when not bottom at Christmas, providing a glimmer of hope for the current campaign.
What's Next?
Pep Guardiola's men: The side have a break before playing again with a visit to Nottingham Forest.
Nuno's team: The Hammers host Fulham in London on the same day.
