Football News: Erling Haaland has started his Manchester City career in style

After seeing off West Ham United's early efforts, Manchester City dominated possession and won with such ease that there were hundreds of empty seats in London Stadium long before the final whistle.

Manchester City lost their first game of the previous season 1-0 at Tottenham in London. Still, a year later, they returned to the City and began with a faultless triumph at West Ham that will have their rivals worried about how to stay up with Pep Guardiola's team.

Last season's poor start did not affect the title fight, with Manchester City finishing ahead of Liverpool on the final day.

The victory at the London Stadium showed no signs of rust. Erling Haaland's two goals got the new signing off to a good start, and he adds more potency to a side that already scores a lot.

Kevin De Bruyne was superb, while Ruben Dias was commanding at the defence. When it came to dominate the game, City had more than 75% of the possession at times.

Erling Haaland proves his reputation. 

Manchester City made a winning start to their championship defence, with Haaland scoring both goals and their star addition, demonstrating that he will be a great value to Pep Guardiola's club.

After Ilkay Gundogan spotted his brilliant run behind the Hammers' defence, his first goal came from the penalty spot.

After beating Hammers substitute goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to the ball and earning the penalties, Haaland sent him the wrong way with a perfect strike that nestled in the corner of the net.

Meanwhile, his second goal was typical of a striker, emphasising his pace, movement, and fearless ability to beat a keeper one-on-one.

Racing on to Kevin De Bruyne's defence-splitting pass, Haaland could open his body and beat Areola with a left-footed shot into the far corner, securing City's win.

Pep Guardiola, the manager, denied Haaland the chance to complete his hat-trick by resting his new star striker and giving Julian Alvarez minutes in the closing stages.

All of this against a West Ham squad that almost finished in the top six the previous season. Manchester City had a difficult start, but they made it look easy.

Tough start for West Ham United

West Ham has spent over £100 million on new signings this summer, but their most important transaction has been maintaining Declan Rice – for the time being, at least.

West Ham had high hopes for the game, but manager David Moyes decided he couldn't risk new £30 million striker Gianluca Scammaca right away.

Instead, after a lively first few minutes, West Ham scarcely touched City, practically waiting to be beaten, as they inevitably were.

Declan Rice attempted in vain to have an impact, but West Ham was so deprived of possession that they couldn't get a foothold in the game.

Erling Haaland is under a lot of pressure at Manchester City this season, so he needed to make an effect as soon as possible after joining Borussia Dortmund for £51 million.

Finally, scoring twice on his Premier League debut wasn't the wrong way to make an impression.

While Haaland's fee is likely to be considered a steal in today's game, the 22-year-old still has to prove he is as excellent as his reputation suggests, and this is where most of the pressure will come.

And, after failing to score – despite squandering several simple chances – in the Community Shield defeat to Liverpool last week, a failure to score against West Ham would have added to the pressure.

Haaland was brought in to make a difference in crucial games for City and to score freely in the others. It's safe to say he's already up to the task.

Manchester City's next match is at home against Bournemouth on Saturday.

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