Jeremy Doku’s electric second-half helped spark a comeback to see reigning Premier League champions Manchester City maintain their 100 percent start to the campaign with victory over West Ham on Saturday.
In their biggest test yet this season, West Ham had City on their toes throughout the entire 90 minutes. However, there’s a reason that Pep Guardiola’s side won the treble last campaign and their resiliency in east London showed just why.
Following an underwhelming first 45 minutes that saw the Hammers go into the break with a 1-0 lead, courtesy of James Ward-Prowse’s diving header, City came out of the half-time tunnel looking like a new side.
![](https://i2-prod.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article27728389.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200c/0_GettyImages-1684739301.jpg)
Summer arrival Doku announced himself to the rest of the Premier League with a blistering performance, scoring City’s first just minutes after the break. He sparked their comeback, while Julian Alvarez took advantage of his starting minutes with two assists himself, including Doku’s opener.
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/manchester-citys-erling-haaland-celebrates-845503740.jpg)
Talisman Erling Haaland was kept quiet throughout most of the contest, but the Norweigan found the back of the net late with the dagger that saw City earn all three points after Bernardo Silva had put them ahead. Haaland’s effort made it three-straight matches with a goal and his seventh of the season.
The following are rating of Man City stars:
Ederson:
Not in the game for large spells but made two critical stops in the second half to keep the score level – 8
Kyle Walker
![](https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blta48ab8748a7595a1/6505c38e1679ecb510f2d0a6/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook_-_2023-09-16T094914.722.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
Struggled a bit with Paqueta, but his attacking has improved this season with a whole flank to go at and his pace came in handy at the back as well – 7
Akanji:
Lurking with a guilty look on his face after Ward-Prowse nodded home in acres of space, but very tidy otherwise. 6
Dias:
Close to scoring early on although bailed out by Ederson later on when caught out by Antonio. 7
Gvardiol:
Lots to like going forward in possession but his positioning was badly exposed by Bowen and Coufal. Some sloppy passes in the final-third and a miscued shot summed up his day. 6
Rodri:
Ran the game well, nipping in to steal possession back and stop West Ham from gaining control of the game. 7
Silva:
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-manchester-citys-bernardo-silva-845499164.jpg)
Rodri’s partner in crime to break up West Ham attacks and played a blinder from the wing in the second half. 9
Alvarez:
One fortunate assist and one excellent assist. Struggled to stay involved but won the battle. 8
Foden:
![](https://scontent.fdad2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/379563144_860262622332905_2987372668684924060_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5614bc&_nc_ohc=lpo-TsmxfvMAX_ncDcp&_nc_ht=scontent.fdad2-1.fna&oh=00_AfCUErXiIl8Tfu4nE8uwpw0pPGTm6w1ijRzxVo2WVMA1YQ&oe=650BC341)
Had an underwhelming performance with very little impact on the attack. Was replaced by Nunes midway through the second-half. 5
Doku:
No sign of the nerves that were on show against Fulham, beating Coufal again and again and getting City back into the game. 8
Haaland:
![](https://i1-thethao.vnecdn.net/2023/09/16/2446-jpeg-6057-1694879793.jpg?w=680&h=0&q=100&dpr=1&fit=crop&s=Rnapv-7hyS8oLohV9SMP4A)
Could have had a hat-trick and probably should have had two, but was a handful for the defence all game and will score those next time. 7
Substitutes
Nunes (for Foden, 67) Made his City debut in the 66th minute, but struggled to keep up with the tempo of the contest. 6
Gomez (for Doku, 89) N/A
Lewis (for Haaland, 90+5) N/A
Ake (for Gvardiol, 90+6) N/A