“Reborn?” Sterling asked after his man-of-the-match performance in scoring twice as City overcame a spirited West Ham United and assumed the head of the Premier League, preserving their 100 per cent start to the campaign going into the worldwide break.
Advertisement
They moved on goal difference above Chelsea and neighbours Manchester United, who have also won their three opening games.
City could easily have scored a third goal before Michail Antonio’s header in the 57th minute gave West Ham an unexpected lifeline.
The win sends City top of the Premier League heading into the worldwide break and maintains their ideal start to the season, but Guardiola insists they will improve.
In a surprise move, former Manchester United striker Ashley Fletcher starts up front alongside the Ecuadorian worldwide to make his full Premier League debut. Against a stronger team – and West Ham would count as one of those had they not been so badly affected by injury, with Dimitri Payet, in particular, sorely missed – they will be punished.
Eleven minutes later, City doubled their lead when Kevin De Bruyne arrowed in a free-kick from the right and Fernandinho rose to direct his impressive header into the top corner – a day short of the anniversary of his last top-flight strike.
Gritty West Ham lacking cutting edge West Ham’s lack of cutting edge in the penalty area is shown on the above touch map.
“If you haven’t seen the game, 3-1 looks comfortable, and they were magnificent in the first half, which was as good as I’ve seen them play for a long time and you can see Pep’s style is coming”.
“For the second, if I did not pass and it hit the post, I would have probably got caned by my team-mates for it”.
The England winger was asked if he was “reborn” after scoring twice at the Etihad, meaning he has now contributed to five goals in his last three appearances. Any ban would not affect his participation in Manchester City’s Champions League fixtures.
At the other end, Boro’s Cristhian Stuani shot straight at Ben Foster in the 73rd minute before the visitors saw Stewart Downing shoot wide.
“West Brom is a hard place so I am pleased with the players”.
Elsewhere, West Brom manager Tony Pulis was keen to freshen up his squad before the transfer window closes on Wednesday after a forgettable stalemate with Middlesbrough.
Guardiola added he was disappointed with John Stones’s display.
Advertisement
“I thought we played really well the first 25 minutes, we didn’t get a goal and then it petered out”, he said.
