Erling Haaland scored twice to help Manchester City beat beleaguered West Ham United for a fifth straight Premier League victory which moved them top of the table.
City are one point clear of Arsenal, but Mikel Arteta’s side can reclaim top spot later on Saturday if they win at Everton (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham needed a positive start to take anything from their game at Etihad Stadium, but that went out of the window inside five minutes when Haaland converted at the second attempt after his initial effort was saved by Alphonse Areola.
The Hammers were cut open all too easily and, shortly after scoring, Norway striker Haaland somehow sent a free header wide from close range, while Tijjani Reijnders forced Areola into a sharp save low down.
The Dutch midfielder did get on the scoresheet seven minutes before half-time, collecting Haaland’s pass before jinking forward and hammering a finish into the roof of the net.
West Ham tried to claw something back in the second half, but Jarrod Bowen could only find the side netting from an acute angle and dragged another shot wide.
Haaland’s second goal then ensured a joyless Christmas for the Hammers who are anchored inside the relegation zone.
Man City analysis: Haaland and team-mates looking imperious
This was City’s seventh straight win in all competitions and Pep Guardiola’s side are starting to put together the sort of streak which sees them lift some form of major silverware at the end of the season.
The Spaniard said early in the campaign that City needed to be within touching distance of Arsenal at the turn of the year if they were to challenge for the title – and at this stage they look like chasing the Gunners all the way.
Haaland’s early goal and 69th-minute strike continued an astonishing campaign in which he has scored 19 league goals and 38 in total for club and country – and he could have completed his hat-trick in injury time but dragged wide of the far post.
Once Reijnders thumped home the second goal on 38 minutes, there was no doubting what the end result would be as City extended their unbeaten run to 48 games against sides starting the day in the relegation zone – an impressive streak which stretches back to 2008.
Areola denied Phil Foden and Savinho late on to spare his side a thrashing, but City’s comfortable win means they have not lost against West Ham in their past 20 league games and are starting to look imperious as they aim to claim yet another title.
