Erling Haaland’s second successive hat-trick earned Premier League champions Manchester City a 3-1 win at West Ham United as Arsenal were held to a 1-1 home draw by Brighton & Hove Albion following Declan Rice’s red card.<\/p>\n
City opened up an early two-point lead over last season’s runners-up Arsenal, with Haaland following up last week’s treble against Ipswich Town to record his seventh goal in three games.<\/p>\n
The Norwegian calmly slotted past Alphonse Areola to put City ahead and, after West Ham equalised against the run of play through Ruben Dias’ own goal, Haaland restored City’s lead on the half-hour mark.<\/p>\n
Haaland secured the win with another cool finish in the 83rd minute, charging on to Matheus Nunes’ through ball and lifting his shot over substitute keeper Lukasz Fabianski.<\/p>\n
“We played really well, it was an unfortunate goal against,” City boss Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports. “The second half was more open but we controlled it better and the performance is good.<\/p>\n
“Officially, the pre-season is now over. We played one game a week and it was a super season. Now they play two a week.”<\/p>\n
After narrowly missing out on their first Premier League title since 2004 last season, Arsenal looked on course for a ninth successive league victory after forward Kai Havertz’s calm lofted finish gave them a halftime lead.<\/p>\n
England midfielder Rice’s second yellow for trying to stop Brighton taking a quick free kick, however, turned the tide in the visitors’ favour.<\/p>\n
“I am amazed,” Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta told reporters.<\/p>\n
“Amazed, amazed, amazed because of how inconsistent decisions can be.”<\/p>\n
Brazilian striker Joao Pedro levelled 12 minutes later and both teams had chances to win a gripping match.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"