Erling Haaland delivered another commanding performance for Manchester City, scoring twice in a 3-0 victory over West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium on December 20, 2025. With this brace, Haaland not only propelled his team to the top of the Premier League table but also overtook Cristiano Ronaldo on the all-time scoring list, cementing his place as one of the league’s most prolific forwards.
Haaland’s goals came in each half, bringing his season total to 19 goals in 17 matches. He also assisted Tijjani Reijnders’ strike, showcasing his all-around contribution to the game. This victory lifted Manchester City one point clear of Arsenal, who were set to play later that day against Everton.
The Norwegian striker’s performance has generated significant attention, as he now holds 104 Premier League goals—one more than Ronaldo, who achieved his tally over two spells at Manchester United and in 122 fewer matches. Haaland opened the scoring in the fifth minute, converting a cross from Phil Foden after an initial miss. He later took advantage of a defensive error by West Ham to secure his second goal in the 69th minute.
Impact on the League and Player Form
Haaland’s remarkable scoring rate this season indicates he is on track for what could become the most successful season of his career. In addition to his league goals, he has netted 38 goals in 28 games across all competitions for club and country. If he remains healthy, Haaland is expected to represent Norway in his first World Cup.
The match also marked a challenging day for Liverpool, who defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 despite losing their record signing, Alexander Isak, to an injury. Isak, who scored Liverpool’s opening goal, sustained a left ankle injury after a challenge, raising concerns about his availability for future matches.
As for Tottenham, they faced additional difficulties with two players sent off during the match. Micky van de Ven’s red card left Spurs with ten men early on, and Cristian Romero followed suit late in the game after kicking out at an opponent.
Other Matches and League Standings
In other Premier League action, Chelsea and Newcastle United played to a 2-2 draw. Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade scored twice in the first 20 minutes, but Chelsea equalized through Joao Pedro, who capitalized on a rare assist from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. This draw keeps Chelsea in fourth place, while Newcastle continues to struggle in mid-table, having secured just one win in their last four games.
At the bottom of the table, Wolverhampton Wanderers remain winless after a 2-0 loss to Brentford, tying the record for the most games without a win at the start of a Premier League season with just two points from 17 matches.
Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo is reportedly attracting interest from major clubs, including Manchester City and Manchester United, after scoring in a 1-1 draw with Burnley, which ended a seven-match losing streak for his team.
As the Premier League season continues, Haaland’s impressive form and Manchester City’s strong performances highlight the competitive nature of one of the world’s most watched football leagues.
