Erling Haaland's remarkable goal-scoring prowess continued as Manchester City secured a 3-1 victory over West Ham, maintaining their perfect start to the English Premier League season. Haaland's second consecutive hat trick propelled City two points ahead of title rival Arsenal, who was held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton after Declan Rice's early dismissal.
The Norwegian striker has now amassed seven goals in just three games this season, bringing his total tally to an impressive 70 goals in 69 league appearances for the club. Haaland's eight Premier League hat tricks put him on par with football legends Thierry Henry, Harry Kane, and Michael Owen.
Haaland's latest hat trick showcased his diverse range of finishing abilities, with goals coming from a well-placed low shot, a powerful strike into the roof of the net, and a composed finish past the goalkeeper. His exceptional form has already created a significant gap between City and their competitors, making them early favorites for the title.
Meanwhile, Arsenal's frustration was evident as they squandered a lead against Brighton following a controversial red card shown to Rice. The decision shifted the momentum of the game, allowing Brighton to equalize and deny Arsenal a perfect start to the season.
Elsewhere, Everton suffered a heartbreaking defeat at home against Bournemouth, conceding three goals in the final minutes after initially holding a 2-0 lead. Brentford continued their impressive form by defeating Southampton 3-1, showcasing their strength even without star striker Ivan Toney.
With Everton and Southampton languishing at the bottom of the table without a point, and Arsenal and Brighton's perfect starts coming to an end, the Premier League is already shaping up to be a fiercely competitive season. Liverpool, with six points from two games, will face Manchester United in a highly anticipated clash on Sunday.
In other matches, Aston Villa secured a 2-1 victory at Leicester, Ipswich earned their first point with a 1-1 draw against Fulham, and Nottingham Forest held Wolves to a 1-1 draw.
Overall, the early stages of the Premier League season have provided thrilling action, with standout performances from Haaland and unexpected results keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
