Shrugging off their disappointing defeat in the Community Shield against Liverpool last weekend, both Manchester City and Erling Haaland kicked off the 2022/23 Premier League season with a statement 0-2 away win against West Ham.
The latter certainly did not feel the pressure of all eyes being on him, as he fired home a penalty in the first 45 minutes and capped off an impressive brace with a clinical finish in the second-half to kickstart his City career in style.
While the hosts started the contest in electric fashion, the visitors ensured they felt right at home as time progressed with a dominant display that was a sign of things to come.
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As the Premier League champions reigned supreme in what was billed to be a potential banana skin on the opening weekend, here are five things we learned from the side’s victory at the London Stadium.
Erling Haaland has arrived
The detractors that had adjudged Erling Haaland as an instant flop after Manchester City’s 3-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Community Shield seemed like a funny bunch at the time.
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They have certainly been made to look even more comical this time out, as the Norwegian international has become only the second Sky Blues player to score a brace on his Premier League debut since none other than Sergio Agüero in 2011.
Unlike the rest of Manchester City’s ensemble of forwards that do not profile as runners, the 22 year old is the polar opposite, which made his masterful movement a sight to behold at the London Stadium.
It was the youngster’s unrivalled understanding of space that came to the fore in the build-up to the opener, as he got on to the end of an Ilkay Gundogan through ball with a sublime first touch to win the penalty.
Dispatching his spot-kick without breaking a sweat was simply a foregone conclusion.
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For his second strike of the day, Erling Haaland’s movement was flawless once again, as he spotted Kevin De Bruyne’s defence-splitting pass like a hawk and finished with aplomb.
Haaland is efficiency personified and the worrying thing for defences in the Premier League remains that he is only getting started.
Rodri-dicilous
Excuse the admittedly inept attempt at a pun, but Rodri picked up exactly where he left off from last season.
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Arguably the finest defensive midfielder in Europe shrugged off any indication that heavy is the head that wears the crown.
With perhaps Manchester City’s least progressive centre-back pairing in Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake starting proceedings, the Spaniard played an instrumental role in dropping in between the pair and keeping things ticking.
As the Sky Blues exacted ultimate control, the 25 year old was the enabler that allowed the side’s stranglehold to be firm.
In possession, Rodri continues to be an incredible technician, as he rarely ever put a foot wrong and made the Hammers’ press seem amateurish at times.
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Off the ball, the former Atletico Madrid anchor battled admirably up against a physical specimen such as Michail Antonio, recycled possession time and mopped up any signs of danger throughout the contest.
When you have mastered your role as much as Rodri has, one remains lost for the words and instead prefers to simply applaud a man who is in his absolute element.
Joao Cancelo in an inverted role is always the answer
During the second half of the 2021/22 season, Joao Cancelo was far from his breathtaking best, and the symptomatic factor behind the dip in the Portuguese international’s displays was that he operated as a traditional left-back that tends to veer out wide.
Against David Moyes’ side, Pep Guardiola deployed the 28 year-old in what was nothing short of a double pivot alongside Kyle Walker, looking right at home.
First things first, a central role for Cancelo mitigated his risk-heavy game, as he kept things simple and elevated the Sky Blues in build-up.
With the solid also followed the spectacular as Manchester City’s brand-new number seven had the space in the middle of the park to jink past defenders and make foraying runs forward.
The former Juventus man’s ball-carrying was supreme, whilst the enigmatic full-back’s technical ability was for all to admire, as his ability to thrive in tight spaces and switch the ball out to Phil Foden in particular on the right flank made him a constant nuisance.
Backing his exploits going forward with a faultless defensive display, he was nothing short of superb on the day.
Joao Cancelo is a genius, but a flawed one and once his game is reined in, you get the best version of one of the world’s most uniquely gifted talents.
A direct winger is still missing from this City side
Looking back at the past is rarely ever advisable but it would not go amiss to imagine just how much more potent this Manchester City would be with Raheem Sterling still in sky blue.
While Jack Grealish and Phil Foden are technical phenoms and weaved their magic at times, it is safe to say that the wide pair lacked the verve of the now-Chelsea winger.
As was proven against West Ham, proactive off-the-ball movement was the solution to break down the hosts’ resolute low block and a certain Erling Haaland had all the answers.
The same cannot be said for either Grealish or Foden, who profile as ball-to-feet widemen, much like Riyad Mahrez and Cole Mahrez that had started on the bench.
While Julian Alvarez has showed signs of being an expert runner, it seems as if he lacks the technical ability of his counterparts in wider areas to truly qualify as a top-tier winger yet.
Despite Manchester City not being expected to break the bank for a direct winger as their prime priority position remains signing a left-back, the addition of another intelligent runner out wide alongside Erling Haaland would make this side virtually unstoppable.
A trio of Premier League debutants
Aside from the biggest headline that is the former Borussia Dortmund striker who has extensively been discussed, other new signings such as Julian Alvarez and Kalvin Phillips made their landmark debuts in the Premier League for Manchester City.
While the pair did not have enough time on the pitch to make an impression, the former still emerged as a lively presence during his cameo.
As for the latter, he slotted straight into the defensive midfield role as Rodri was hauled off during the dying embers of the clash.
Despite the fact that not much analysis can be offered about the duo’s showings, it is a talking point that the pair finally made their first outings in the English top-flight for Manchester City.
Both Alvarez and Phillips are expected to be in the fold more often as the season progresses, as it is clear that Pep Guardiola sees them as a part of his plans.
Topics: Erling Haaland, Manchester City, West Ham United, Premier League, Football, Kevin De Bruyne
Srinivas Sadhanand