WEST HAM MANCHESTER CITY SEASON’S GRE Sterling fires in hat-trick, Pep’s side thrash the Hammers and City go top on first weekend

PEP GUARDIOLA saw Manchester City start their title defence with a stunning away win – and immediately demanded more.

The Premier League champions extended their winning streak to 15 matches by taking their crazy scoring record at the London Stadium to 22 in five appearances.

And the Citizens showed anything Liverpool could do, they could go one better ahead in what is set to be another potential title thriller.

But Guardiola’s search for perfection saw him label the first-half display as “sloppy” – and he claimed second-half hat-trick hero Raheem Sterling ( left) personified the improvement after the break.

A series of VAR interruptions only delayed the same old story as City won again at West Ham, despite the home side’s £72million spend this summer.

“In terms of result, yes it was perfect,” said Guardiola. “In terms of performance? Nope.

“The first half we were sloppy in our passes. Our basic is to be precise and be crisp, but our passes were not good. But that’s normal.

“First game, away, 12.30, hot, to still have the rhythm. It was not there. We have to expect more, but that’s normal.

“I know we are going to get it. Because the last two seasons we were so consistent and we make a good ■ City have won their last 15 Prem games – only the second time a team has won as many consecutively in the English top flight – with the Citizens also holding the performance. But I cannot deny it, I am so delighted, 0-5, first game.

“We finished with 14 games in a row winning last season in the Premier League. It’s one more, 15 now, so it’s good.”

It took City 25 minutes to open the scoring when the outstanding

Riyad Mahrez slipped a pass to the overlapping

Kyle Walker. The

England defender’s low cross was touched by the retreating Issa Diop, but Gabriel Jesus reacted to flick home at the near post.

City finally got out of second gear after the break. Sterling doubled the lead on a deadly counter-attack when record (18 wins, Aug-dec 2017).

■ West Ham have lost their last fou PL openers, with an aggregate score 0-13 during the last three matches. Mahrez fed Kevin De Bruyne, who the England winger through on go The inevitable third goal was dela when Jesus tapped in at the far p but VAR ruled Sterlin shoulder was fraction offside when he released by new cap David Silva.

It caused the big cheer of the aftern from the Hamm faithful. Another V decision was nee before Sterling’s secon and City’s third – was g after he just sprang the off trap after a Mahrez pass.

There was a double dose of V when Diop’s clumsy challenge