Haaland hat-trick powers Manchester City to victory, as Arsenal’s unbeaten run ends

Erling Haaland dazzled once again, netting a sensational hat-trick to keep Manchester City’s Premier League hopes alive with a 3-1 triumph over West Ham United at London Stadium.

The game began with Haaland narrowly missing a header, but the Norwegian superstar quickly made amends, slotting the ball home just 10 minutes in after Bernardo Silva pounced on a loose ball to send him through.

Kevin De Bruyne then unleashed a thunderous strike that rattled the woodwork, as City dominated the early exchanges.

However, against the run of play, West Ham struck back in the 19th minute. Jarrod Bowen danced down the byline and delivered a cross that ricocheted off Dias and trickled past Ederson, leaving the home crowd stunned.

Undeterred, City regained the lead on the half-hour mark, courtesy of a moment of magic from Haaland.

He coolly dispatched a pinpoint pass from Rico Lewis, leaving Alphonse Areola with no chance.

The second half saw West Ham nearly catch City on the break, with Kudus storming down the left, only to see his powerful shot cannon off the near post.

As the clock ticked down, Haaland completed his hat-trick in style.

Darting onto Matheus Nunes’ clever through-ball, he deftly chipped the ball over the onrushing Lukasz Fabianski, securing City’s two-goal cushion.

In the dying moments, West Ham almost found a consolation goal through Crysencio Summerville, but Ederson, ever vigilant, tipped the curling effort onto the post, preserving City’s well-earned victory.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season was halted by a 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium, with Declan Rice’s red card playing a crucial role in the outcome.

Mikel Arteta’s side quickly took control of the game, with Saka and Martin Ødegaard directing their best volleys straight at Brighton’s goalkeeper, Bart Verbruggen.

Although Brighton gradually found their rhythm, with Kaoru Mitoma narrowly missing the target, they fell behind in the 38th minute.

Saka outmuscled Lewis Dunk and set up Havertz, who calmly lifted the ball over the onrushing Verbruggen and into the net.

However, Arsenal’s momentum was halted just three minutes into the second half when Rice received a second yellow card for delaying Joel Veltman’s quick free-kick.

Brighton wasted no time capitalizing on their numerical advantage, equalizing shortly after.

Yankuba Minteh latched onto Dunk’s precise through ball, and although David Raya saved his initial shot, Joao Pedro, fresh off a match-winner against Manchester United, was on hand to bury the rebound.

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