Five-star Man City off to a flyer

Pep Guardiola’s side hammer West Ham for five on a perfect afternoon in London as the champions got their title defence off on a brilliant note.

https://www.twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1160179890248802305

A Raheem Sterling hat trick as well as a fine Gabriel Jesus opener and a late Sergio Aguero penalty was all City needed to set the ball rolling on another Premier League challenge.

The City manager handed new signing Rodrigo his full debut and named Jesus and Riyad Mahrez among the first XI after the Algerian shook off his doping controversy. Bernardo, Aguero and new-import Cancelo only made the bench.

https://www.twitter.com/JollofSports/status/1160180111364239361

West Ham were unlucky to be paired with the champions on the opening weekend and it only took Gabriel Jesus 35 minutes to show everyone why. The Brazilian showing good awareness to slam home the game’s first goal.

Raheem Sterling got the first of his treble, a mere five minutes into the second half and grabbed his second – City’s third – twenty minutes later, to break the Hammers’ resistance.

Sergio Aguero came off the bench to net a late penalty and there was still enough time on the clock for England international Sterling to complete his hat trick.

https://www.twitter.com/Squawka/status/1160180158340501504

The straightforward win sends the Citizens to the top of the league ahead of Liverpool who thrashed new-boys Norwich City 4-1 on Friday night.