Pep Guardiola dethrones Man United icon as Erling Haaland makes history

Pep Guardiola created Premier League history with their 3-1 win over West Ham – dethroning Sir Alex Ferguson.

Erling Haaland hit a stunning hat-trick, almost taking the net off with his second, making it back-to-back trebles.

That results means Guardiola has not been beaten by West Ham in any of the 17 matches he’s coached against them.

It’s now the most games a manager has faced a specific opponent without losing to them in the history of the Premier League.

Prior to the clash at the London Stadium, Guardiola had overseen 14 wins and two draws against the Hammers.

And that has now been extended with an imperious display in east London.

Haaland’s hat-trick was also a history-maker – it means the club have had more trebles (43) than any other club since 1992, overtaking Liverpool.

The Norwegian has also now got more goals after three Premier League games (7) than any other player.

And overall it’s 70 strikes in 69 league appearances for the champions.

“He’s playing much better in everything,” Guardiola said after the game. “He stays 20 minutes or half an hour after training sessions. Last season not even once was he there because he didn’t feel good – tired, niggles.

“What he needs is the team to give him more balls in the final third. We’re going to create those situations. He’s unstoppable, there’s no central defender, not even with a gun to stop him.”

It could have been much worse for West Ham too, Alphonse Areola – substituted at half-time – made a number of good saves, with one grab denying Kevin De Bruyne a stunning goal.

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The Belgian hit the post in the first period too before the Hammers gave Man City some scares with Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus both ever-present threats.

However, the reigning Premier League held their rivals off and helped their manager create history.

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Guardiola had been tied on a 16-game unbeaten run alongside legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The iconic coach of the Red Devils failed to lose in 16 clashes with Charlton between 1998 and 2009 – also winning 14 and drawing two.

Man City’s win also had the added bonus of sending them back to the top of the Premier League.

Arsenal spurned the chance to take the lead in the game’s early kick-off as they drew 1-1 with fellow high-flyers Brighton.

The game was not without controversy though as Declan Rice was sent off for two bookable offences.

The second of those was when he kicked the ball away to delay the Seagulls taking a quick free-kick.

Liverpool are the only team who can possibly usurp City this weekend as they take on Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Arne Slot’s side would need to win by three clear goals against their rivals to assume top spot.

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