Erling Haaland and Manchester City might just be turning the corner after the team's worst run of results under Pep Guardiola.
Haaland scored twice in a 4-1 win over West Ham on Sunday morning (AEDT) as City secured back-to-back victories in the Premier League for the first time since late October, when a shocking and unthinkable six-week meltdown began.
In that time, the defending champions played nine league games and won just once, dropping them out of the Champions League qualification spots and raising questions about Guardiola's stomach for a rebuild.
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Now, City can hope for better times ahead — especially after making up ground on second-placed Arsenal and fourth-placed Chelsea after they both dropped points in draws at Brighton and Crystal Palace, respectively.
Still, Guardiola wasn't getting carried away.
“I’m very pleased for the result," he said, “but you cannot ask me if the old City is back. If you saw the game, we are not.”
Phil Foden of Manchester City celebrates after scoring their side's fourth goal against West Ham United. Getty
However, while the 2-0 win at Leicester last weekend was unconvincing, there were better signs against West Ham — at least in attack with Haaland looking sharp.
The Norway striker headed in Savinho's cross to make it 2-0 in the 42nd minute and chipped the goalkeeper for 3-0 in the 55th after running onto another pass from Savinho.
Either side, there was an own-goal and a strike from Phil Foden before Niclas Fullkrug pulled one back for West Ham.
“We are still not like we were, for different reasons,” Guardiola said.
"The result will help. We struggle but it is a release.”
Declan Rice of Arsenal takes on Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton. CameraSport via Getty Images
Elsewhere, Arsenal was held to 1-1 at Brighton, which equalised from the penalty spot through Joao Pedro, and missed the chance to trim the gap to Liverpool to three points.
Ethan Nwaneri put Arsenal ahead and, at age 17, became only the sixth player under 18 to score multiple Premier League goals.
Brighton's penalty was awarded after Arsenal defender William Saliba was adjudged to have clashed heads with Pedro as they challenged for a bouncing ball.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was disappointed with the call, saying: “I have never seen a decision like this in my career. I asked the boys if they have and nobody has."
Chelsea's winless run extended to four matches after drawing 1-1 with Palace.
Jean-Philippe Mateta equalised in the 82nd for Palace, cancelling out Cole Palmer's opener.
Chelsea has drawn twice and lost twice since December 22, damaging a title bid that had been picking up some steam — even if manager Enzo Maresca never accepted his team was a realistic challenger.
"We still created so many chances in front of goal but it's about getting the end product," Chelsea winger Jadon Sancho said.
“We're still playing the same football, we are still giving 100 per cent. This is what happens in football.”
Liverpool leads Arsenal by five points and Chelsea by nine, and has two games in hand over both rivals. The first comes at home to Manchester United on Monday (AEDT).
