City masterclass as Hammers for four
Unbeaten Reds continue to scale new heights
arrived. But this was not a fair fight. West Ham’s players are not in the same class and the gulf was evident throughout the game, although their manager was upset at how quickly the game was up.
“Unfortunately for us, we were very weak in defending the first three goals,” he moaned. “City can score three because they have very good players but those kind of goals were too easy.
“It is hard to say if City are going to win the title. They will be a team involved in every competition.
“They have a very good team and they are playing very well. But it is difficult to feel what will happen in six months.”
Pellegrini had promised that his new team would attack his old one, but the Hammers had already survived one letoff when the Champions went ahead.
The ball was worked serenely out to Sterling on the right, before his cross took a deflection off Arthur Masuaku.
The little magician David Silva was quickest to react and he just guided the loose ball past Lukasz Fabianski.
Having set up one, Sterling then applied the finishing touch as City went two up as he tapped in at the far post from Sane’s low ball across.
The home side could have halved the deficit almost immediately, but Michail Antonio fired straight at Ederson from a promising position inside the box.
However, the threat was a brief one and there was a feeling of slow motion as the visitors scored their third.
Fernandinho picked out Sterling with a delightful chipped pass.
The England winger wasn’t offside and squared for Sane, who put Federico Balbuena on his backside before side-footing past a helpless Fabianski.
West Ham could have pulled one back just before the hour-mark as substitute Javier Hernandez slipped in Antonio, who beat Ederson, but struck the outside of a post.
The rest of the game was played at walking pace, but Sane applied the finishing touch with the last kick as he volleyed past Fabianski for his second of the day and fourth in three games. now have the most points – 33 – they have ever had at this stage of a Premier League season.
Klopp said: “It’s nice, the 33 points are brilliant and the goal difference is really good, I like all that.
“At this fantastic big club with outstanding teams in the past, that this group of players can get this record is nice.
“The season is not finished and it doesn’t bring anything, but if someone wants this record in the future they must beat this team.
“It was a really mature performance.
“We never controlled games in the manner we do now. I know people miss one or two situations from last season but we have these games.”
Salah broke the deadlock with his ninth goal of the season, tapping in Sadio Mane’s cross, and appeared to celebrate with a gesture which Sergio Ramos uses when he scores.
Ramos, who injured Salah in last season’s Champions League final, is under the spotlight after German magazine Der Spiegel claimed the Real Madrid captain returned a positive test for the glucocorticoid dexamethasone after the 2017 European showpiece in Cardiff.
No action was taken as it was deemed to be due to an “administrative mistake” while Ramos has denied any wrongdoing and the World Anti-doping Agency has said the matter is closed. Klopp added: “I didn’t even see him celebrating.
“I celebrated myself.” Alexander-arnold’s brilliant free-kick made it 2-0 before Brazilian striker Firmino ended his Premier League drought in the last minute of normal time, scoring in the top flight for the first time since September.
Klopp said: “To explain how difficult it is to prepare for a game like this is hard.
“I know you always expect perfection, but we had one session to prepare.
“They came back on Thursday, the Brazilians and Robbo (Andy Robertson) for example.
“With the demands on set-pieces, you need your own set-pieces, and you also need to work on the specific quality of the
STAR MAN
was at the heart of City’s dominance and has also developed a keen eye for goal.
DAVID SILVA
TURNING POINT
opponent.” Defeat leaves ninth-placed Watford winless in their last three games.
Howver, the home side were furious after being denied a second-half penalty.
With the score level, Robertson appeared to clip Will Hughes’ heels in the box.
However, referee Jon Moss ignored the hosts’ protests.
Boss Javi Gracia said: “The last two games we have been unlucky with some decisions.
“But I prefer to always support referees and if I don’t say anything about their work in these two games I will not do it for the rest of the season.
“In these type of games you need to score if you have one chance.
“If you don’t do it you know they are able to score.”