Slick City equal Premier League win record
LONDON: Manchester City equalled the Premier League record for most wins in a season as the imperious champions powered to a 4-1 victory at West Ham yesterday.
After being given a guard of honour by West Ham players before kick-off, City set about dismantling their generous hosts.
Pep Guardiola’s side now have 30 wins this term, matching the record set by Chelsea last season, and will take sole possession of the milestone with one more success in their last three games.
Sweeping West Ham aside with their trademark swagger, City went ahead through Leroy Sane before an own goal from their former defender Pablo Zabaleta doubled the lead.
Aaron Cresswell’s free-kick reduced the deficit before halftime, but Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho netted for City after the interval.
Simply untouchable for most of the season, City are bidding to cement their status as one of the all-time great Premier League teams by rewriting the record books.
They have scored 102 league goals in 35 games, making them the fastest English top-flight side to reach the century mark since Everton in 1931-32.
City are one goal short of the Premier League record of 103 set by Chelsea in 2009-10.
Guardiola’s team also need three more points to eclipse Chelsea’s 95-point Premier League record from 2004-05.
In contrast, West Ham face an anxious finale to a troubled season as they fight to avoid the drop in their last three games.
David Moyes’ men have won once in their last eight league fixtures and sit just three points above the relegation zone.
With the title wrapped up two weeks ago, Guardiola has had no problems keeping his players motivated.
Last weekend’s 5-0 thrashing of Swansea showed the champions hadn’t taken their eye off the ball, even if goalkeeper Ederson’s unsuccessful campaign to take a penalty was a sign of the relaxed mood in the City camp.