West Ham 0-5 Man City: Sterling hat-trick fires huge win but VAR steals the show

Raheem Sterling's treble and one goal apiece from Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero gave Manchester City a big win over West Ham.

Match Report

Raheem Sterling's hat-trick inspired a 5-0 rout of West Ham as Manchester City commenced their quest for a third straight Premier League title in style in a contest where VAR played a prominent role.

The England star struck a sublime second-half treble after Gabriel Jesus prodded the champions ahead in the 25th minute of a one-sided affair at the London Stadium.

Sterling's well-worked first goal came six minutes after the interval and though a VAR review found he was offside before Jesus tapped in, he did find the net again 15 minutes from time to put City beyond the Hammers' reach.

Match Events

25' GOAL! West Ham 0-1 Man City (Jesus)

The city ahead, and it comes from a blistering Kyle Walker run down the right. Gabriel Jesus puts the ball in the net and the away team now lead 0-1.

51' GOAL! West Ham 0-2 Man City (Sterling)

Sterling, on target in the Community Shield last weekend, makes it two in two. De Bruyne carries the ball past a couple of players and slides it into the path of Sterling, who keeps his composure by slotting his shot through the legs of Fabianski.

54' NO GOAL! VAR cancels Jesus' goal

History is made as a goal is ruled out by VAR for the first time in the Premier League! Sterling was offside by about a millimeter when latching on to Silva's through ball. West Ham has been given a lifeline! 

75' GOAL! West Ham 0-3 Man City (Sterling)

A lovely third for City, and Sterling has his second! Mahrez's dinked ball finds him behind the line, and he lobs Fabianski from 12 yards!    

86' PENALTY GOAL! West Ham 0-4 Man City (Aguero)

No messing around from Aguero this time as he sends Fabianski the wrong way from the retaken penalty. VAR has arrived in the Premier League, folks!

86' GOAL! West Ham 0-4 Man City (Sterling)

Sterling has an opening-day hat-trick as he shows great composure to slot the ball past Fabianski.

Line-ups

West Ham XI: Ł. Fabiański, Cresswell, J.Wilshere, M.Antonio, M. Lanzini, F.Anderson, Haller, R. Fredericks, F. Balbuena, I.Diop, D.Rice

Subs: Roberto Jiménez, Zabaleta, Ogbonna, C. Sánchez, R. Snodgrass, Javier Hernández, P.Fornals

Man City XI: David Silva, K. Walker, K. De Bruyne, Mahrez, R. Sterling, A.Laporte, J. Stones, Ederson Moraes, Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus, R.Hernández

Subs: S. Agüero, C. Bravo, N. Otamendi, İ. Gündoğan, Cancelo, Bernardo Silva, Foden