Manchester City took full advantage of Arsenal’s slip-up at home to Brighton to move clear at the top of the nascent Premier League table as another stunning Erling Haaland hat-trick secured a 3-1 win at West Ham on Saturday Night Football.

The Gunners had to settle for a point earlier on Saturday after Declan Rice’s controversial red card cost his side two points – and Haaland’s first-half double set the defending champions on their way to maintaining their perfect start to the new campaign in the capital.

Haaland then became the first player to score a hat-trick in two of an English team’s first three league games in a season since Paul Jewell for Bradford in 1994/95. What a diamond he is.

West Ham – who sit in 13th place on three points – might have conceded from City’s first attack as Jack Grealish found Bernardo Silva on the overlap but his dinked cross was headed over by Haaland. The Norwegian didn’t dwell on the miss, breaking the deadlock not long after.

Lucas Paqueta was sloppy in possession as Silva pinched the ball off his toes to release the striker, who finished with ease low beyond Alphonse Areola (10).

City came within inches of doubling their lead when Kevin De Bruyne, picked out by Jeremy Doku, smacked the post – and moments later, the hosts levelled in fortuitous circumstances.

Jarrod Bowen was found down the right channel and after Josko Gvardiol afforded him too much space to cross, Ruben Dias diverted the ball past Ederson in his attempts to intercept (19).

It briefly sparked West Ham into life, but City gathered themselves and restored their lead 11 minutes later. This time, he was set up by the impressive Rico Lewis before one touch out of his feet was followed by a devastating finish above Areola.

Lukasz Fabianski replaced Areola at the break but it didn’t unsettle the hosts, who came within inches of equalising for a second time when Kudus’ shot crashed against the woodwork having been released by Bowen.

Dias failed to convert De Bruyne’s cross to keep the contest alive. West Ham persevered as Kudus stole the ball from Silva to set up the substitute Niclas Fullkrug. His lay-off invited Tomas Soucek to shoot but he dragged his effort wide.

Then City – and Haaland – strode clear. Matheus Nunes’ lovely weighted pass sent the striker on his way with a trademark lofted finish completing his 11th hat-trick for City, and 24th of his professional career (83).