Manchester City have recorded back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since October as Erling Haaland and Savinho shone in a 4-1 beating of West Ham United.
As has been the case with many of Man City's visitors in 2024-25, Julen Lopetegui's men were not afraid to take the game to the champions, but failure to capitalise on a dominant first 10 minutes proved fatal.
A Vladimir Coufal own goal and Haaland header - both fashioned by the lively Savinho - sent City into a two-goal lead before the break, and there was no let-up from Pep Guardiola's side in the second 45.
Savinho once again played provider for Haaland's second of the afternoon, not long before Phil Foden put the result beyond any reasonable doubt, although Niclas Fullkrug did at least manage to wipe out the holders' clean sheet.
While Man City stay sixth in the Premier League rankings, they are now just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea thanks to the Blues' 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace, as West Ham sit eight points above the relegation zone in 13th.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Few would have expected City's 2-0 success over Leicester City last weekend to have just been a fluke, and if Saturday's result is anything to go by, Guardiola's men are well and truly back.
The Irons were never likely to put up much of a fight against the born-again Citizens, and so it proved, as Haaland and Savinho both continued their New Year resurgences while Foden bagged another confidence-boosting goal.
The Man City second-half-of-season juggernaut has now been awoken, but will it be enough to see them pull off one of the Premier League's greatest-ever title comebacks? Highly unlikely, but while the hunt for first place is mathematically not out of the question, quiet optimism should not hurt anyone.
On the other side of the coin, West Ham have both broken and equalled a club record with their humbling loss; they have now been beaten in 19 successive Premier League games against Man City, their longest-ever streak of defeats against a single opponent in their league history.
In addition, the Hammers are now without a clean sheet in 25 straight league games versus Man City - their joint-longest streak against a single team - and while Man City's revival is just beginning, theirs is now well and truly over.
MAN CITY VS. WEST HAM HIGHLIGHTS
10th min: Man City 1-0 West Ham (Vladimir Coufal own goal)
West Ham's brilliant start counts for nought! Kevin De Bruyne - who else - starts the Man City move by spraying a long ball out to Savinho, who gets to the edge of the box but sees his cross intercepted by Jean-Clair Todibo.
However, the ball quickly comes back out to Savinho, who is seemingly trying to pick out Erling Haaland at the back post, but his low delivery takes a wicked deflection off of Coufal and flies into the far side of the net.
42nd min: Man City 2-0 West Ham (Erling Haaland)
West Ham's perpetual nemesis strikes again! Savinho is heavily involved once more, breezing past Coufal on City's left flank before delivering a floating ball to the back post.
Haaland produces an exquisite piece of movement to escape the attention of Max Kilman, and with Alphonse Areola inexplicably taking a couple of steps forward, the City marksman has the simple job of heading home into an empty net.
Two goals in two games for the two-time Golden Boot winner - the start of a prolonged revival?
55th min: Man City 3-0 West Ham (Erling Haaland)
Same combination. Same result. The electrifying Savinho takes the ball on the half turn and surges forward through the centre of the exposed West Ham midfield, before tapping the ball through to Haaland.
The Norwegian has the beating of Kilman again, getting goal-side of the West Ham defender and delicately chipping the ball over the onrushing Areola for his second of the day.
58th min: Man City 4-0 West Ham (Phil Foden)
Just a second goal of the Premier League season for the PFA Young Player of the Year!
West Ham play themselves into danger inside their own defensive third - Mohammed Kudus gives the ball away - and De Bruyne unselfishly lays off Foden for a simple low finish.
71st min: Man City 4-1 West Ham (Niclas Fullkrug)
Something for the Hammers faithful to cheer but surely inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.
Tomas Soucek takes a nice Edson Alvarez pass in his stride and squares for Fullkrug, who coolly slots a first-time left-footed finish into the bottom corner.
Kyle Walker failed to keep up with Soucek, Manuel Akanji could not stop the cross from coming in and Josko Gvardiol was left trailing in Fullkrug's wake. Poor from the holders.
MAN OF THE MATCH - SAVINHO
Starting 2025 as he ended 2024, the rejuvenated Savinho followed up his goal and assist against Leicester City with another outstanding display in sky blue and could justifiably claim to end the game with three assists, even if only two of them go down officially.
The Brazilian was fortunate with his deflected cross for Coufal's own goal, but there was nothing lucky about either of his assists for Haaland's two goals, while he also succeeded with both of his dribble attempts.
It may be a step too far to say that City's revival can be fully attributed to Savinho shining, but with the South American on top form again, Man City are winning again.
MAN CITY VS. WEST HAM MATCH STATS
Possession: Man City 56%-44% West Ham
Shots: Man City 10-17 West Ham
Shots on target: Man City 7-4 West Ham
Corners: Man City 7-1 West Ham
Fouls: Man City 8-13 West Ham
BEST STATS
WHAT NEXT?
FA Cup matters now take precedence for both sides, as Man City kick off their bid for glory against Salford City in next Saturday's third-round clash, one day after West Ham travel to Aston Villa.
The two clubs are then back in Premier League action on the evening of January 14, when Guardiola's men head to Brentford at the same time as the Irons' home London derby with Fulham.
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