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ICE, ICE BABY

Manchester City 3 West Ham 0: Nightmare reunion for Joe Hart as Pep Guardiola’s men run riot in Iceland with Gabriel Jesus, Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling netting

The Citizens proved to be too good for the Hammers, as Pep Guardiola's men run riot in the final pre-season game of the summer

MANCHESTER CITY cruised to victory against West Ham in Iceland as they battered the Hammers to win 3-0 at the Laugardalsvollur Stadium.

A first half strike from Gabriel Jesus got the Citizens off to an early lead, before Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling added goals in the second period.

 The young Brazilian made no mistake when he fired the Citizens into an early lead
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The young Brazilian made no mistake when he fired the Citizens into an early leadCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Manchester City players celebrate after Gabriel Jesus netted the opener after just eight minutes
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Manchester City players celebrate after Gabriel Jesus netted the opener after just eight minutesCredit: Getty Images - Getty

It took Pep Guardiola's men just eight minutes to break the deadlock - Jesus tapping home from six yards out after Kevin De Bruyne squared the ball to the Brazilian striker.

If not for Joe Hart, City could have been at least three up going into half time, with the English goalkeeper on hand to deny Danilo twice, a looping goal-bound cross from Leroy Sane, as well as efforts from Aguero and Jesus.

The East Londoners offered little going forward in the opening 45 minutes, a header blazed over from Spanish youth international Toni Martinez was the best the club could muster.

Pedro Obiang slipped former City fan favourite Pablo Zabaleta in down the right flank, before he found the striker in the middle, but he couldn't direct his effort goal-wards.

It took just 11 minutes into the second half for Aguero to get on the score sheet, moments after Edmilson Fernades almost equalised for Slaven Bilic's side.

In a similar goal to the opener, the 29-year-old tapped into an empty net from five yards out after Sane found David Silva down the left channel, who whipped in a perfect first-time low cross.

 Despite conceding three goals, West Ham goalkeeper Joe Hart impressed in Iceland
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Despite conceding three goals, West Ham goalkeeper Joe Hart impressed in IcelandCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Leroy Sane was a constant threat for Manchester City down the left-hand side
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Leroy Sane was a constant threat for Manchester City down the left-hand sideCredit: Reuters
 New Citizens shot-stopper Ederson barely had anything to do in the 90 minutes
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New Citizens shot-stopper Ederson barely had anything to do in the 90 minutesCredit: Reuters

Things went from bad to worse for West Ham when Marko Arnautovic bowed out with ankle injury, with the Austrian international in danger of missing out on facing Manchester United at Old Trafford next week.

They then had Hart once again to thank for keeping the score at 2-0, producing an expert stop to thwart Silva's attempt from creeping in the bottom-right corner.

However he couldn't keep out Raheem Sterling from volleying home from close range in the 71st minute.

On as a second half substitute, the former Liverpool star made no mistake when Phil Foden's deflected strike found it's way to him, and he kept his cool to find the bottom left corner.

It was a fantastic display from last season's FA Cup semi-finalists who look sure to stake their claim at winning the Premier League for a third time this campaign.

For West Ham fans, this result makes grim reading - they were sluggish, second best and lacked a real attacking impetus.

 Pep Guardiola and Slaven Bilic react after the match in their final pre-season match of the summer
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Pep Guardiola and Slaven Bilic react after the match in their final pre-season match of the summerCredit: Reuters


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