It was a historic week in Manchester City, with the beloved Gallagher brothers reuniting to return Oasis to the stage next year. Earlier this week City boss Pep Guardiola spoke of his admiration of the two brothers:
“If we can go, we’ll go. Absolutely.”
He went on to say that the reunion is “good news” for music. “They’re back so it’s fantastic for the thousand million fans they have around the world, especially here in England,” he said.
Noel Gallagher was in attendance for City's ultimate game before the international break.
The Blues team was altered slightly with Savinho having a 'niggle' according to Guardiola, requiring Jack Grealish to return from injury back into the starting eleven.
Kick-off came shortly after a minute of applause for former City and England Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson after he sadly passed away last week.
It was a rocky beginning to proceedings, with West Ham on top for the opening five minutes and Jarrod Bowen frequently threatening in the City penalty area.
City had better fortune after however courtesy of an excellent pick out from Jack Grealish reaching an unmarked Bernardo Silva with a teasing ball into the box that Haaland heads over, it was a sign of good things to come for The Citizens.
Eventually, The Champions had gotten their goal after a brilliant Bernardo Silva pass that allowed Haaland to roll the ball past Alphonse Areola. Just minutes later Kevin De Bruyne launched a piledriver off a setpiece move with Jack Grealish that nearly doubled the city's lead but was palmed away after a quick reaction from Areola.
City appeared to have been in cruise control after just 18 minutes but their rhythm was broken when West Ham had another quick break and Jarrod Bowen slams a low-driven cross in that deflected off Ruben Dias' knee and put the game back on level terms. Guardiola's men were quick to respond as Jack Grealish created space to find Rico Lewis who set up yet another goal for our Norwegian Viking Erling Haaland who put away an incredible first-time finish into the West Ham net and rounded off a near-perfect first-half.
The second half found new challenges for the Blues as the Hammers growing confidence showed in their ability to play City in the midfield with new signings Summerville and Fullkrug threatening the City defense.
That would all change though as substitute Matheus Nunes slips Haaland in for his hat trick putting the game well and truly to bed.