Manchester City started the 2019/2020 English League smoothly after a landslide 5-0 win over West Ham United at the London Stadium on Saturday (10/8).
Compete at London Stadium on Saturday (10/08/2019), City first threatened the West Ham goal. Riyad Mahrez’s shot from outside the penalty box can still be secured by Lukasz Fabianski. City’s second attempt came in the 14th minute. David Silva opened fire from outside the penalty box, but the ball did not meet the target.
Performing with their best strength, including new player Rodri, Man City scored their first goal 1-0 in the first round thanks to a goal by Gabriel Jesus in the 25th minute who managed to cheat Kyle Walker’s pass from the right side.
West Ham which continues to be pressed can only open fire in the 34th minute. Starting from the throw-in, Sebastien Haller got the ball and fired a right-footed shot. The ball can still be pushed over by Ederson Moraes.
Three minutes later City were able to again threaten the West Ham goal. The ball from Kevin De Bruyne’s shot was pushed over by Fabianski. There are no additional goals until halftime. The Citizens closed the first round with a 1-0 advantage.
In the second half Man City increasingly appear aggressive in order to increase the score. Raheem Sterling finally doubled the position for the visitors in the 51st minute thanks to Kevin de Bruyne’s assist.
Man City could lead 3-0 in the 55th minute through Sterling goal. But the goal was disallowed because Sterling was first in an offside position after referee Mike Dean reviewed VAR (video assistant referee).
Earlier in the first round Mike Dean also used VAR to ensure violations committed by Rodri in the seventh minute as a penalty or not.
Sterling only managed to score his second goal in the match in the 75th minute after receiving bait from Riyad Mahrez. The goal was quite beautiful because Sterling gouged the ball through goalkeeper Fabianski. The endorsement of the goal was delayed because referee Mike Dean again had to use VAR.
Violations committed by Fabianski against Mahrez in the 82nd stop made referee Mike Dean give a penalty to Man City.
Aguero who became the executor had failed after Fabianski’s kick countered. But the VAR went back to work because Declan Rice was found violating the limits in the penalty box. On both occasions Aguero managed to give a 4-0 advantage for Man City in the 83rd minute.
Sterling finally scored a hat trick in the 92nd minute. It was the Premier League’s first hat trick of the season. Sterling’s third goal was returned from the beautiful pass from Mahrez.
