Raheem Sterling produced a hat-trick of assists as Manchester City beat West Ham United 4-1 in their Premier League encounter at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon, writes DEAN WORKMAN.

Champions City were still chasing a number of records coming into the game while the Hammers still needed points to secure their Premier League survival.

Pep Guardiola’s team started the game as vibrant as ever and took the lead with just 13 minutes played. Sterling played the ball to Leroy Sane whose shot took a deflection off Patrice Evra leaving Adrian in the West Ham goal with no chance.

It was not long until City had their second. Kevin de Bruyne received the ball, sprinted to the byline and smashed the ball across the six-yard box. The ball had too much power and pace behind it and it deflected off Declan Rice and then Pablo Zabaleta before trickling over the line. 2-0 to the Champions after 27 minutes. That was Guardiola’s team 100th league goal of the campaign.

David Moyes’ team were working hard to get back into them and got their rewards four minutes before half-time. Ilkay Gundogan brought down Edmilson Fernandes. Replays showed the foul was clearly in the box, but the referee instead awarded a free kick just outside. It didn’t matter though as Aaron Cresswell stepped up and struck a brilliant free-kick past Ederson in the City goal.

2-1 at the break and despite much Manchester City dominance, West Ham were still in the game.

It did not take the Citizens long to restore their two-goal lead in the second half as Sterling again played the provider, as he picked out Gabriel Jesus, who made no mistake. 3-1 with 53 minutes gone.

City were rampant and made it 4-1 on 64 minutes. Sterling grabbed his third assist of the day as his pullback was swept home by Fernandinho.

There could have been a lot more goals for the Citizens but they clearly put their foot off the gas and saw out the remainder of the game.

Photo: John Walton/Backpagepix