Pep Guardiola told his Manchester City players they need to play better if they want to win the Premier League, even after they beat West Ham 3-0 on Saturday.

City is now at the top of the league before Arsenal plays Everton later today, thanks to two goals by Erling Haaland and one from Tijjani Reijnders.

Guardiola's team has won seven games in a row in all competitions, but the coach still wasn't happy.

"We have to play better with the ball," Guardiola said.

If not, we won't be good enough to still be in the running to win titles come March and April.

[West Ham] is a good team. But I need to be real with myself. I told the players, 'Merry Christmas, everyone, but we need to get better.'

City controlled the game against West Ham pretty much from the start, when Haaland scored in the fifth minute.

Reijnders made the score 2-0 before halftime, but West Ham came back stronger in the second half and had a few chances to score early on through Freddie Potts and Jarrod Bowen.

Haaland scored his second goal in the 69th minute, which ended any hope of a West Ham comeback.

Guardiola said he had to thank Haaland for his goals, but other players, like captain Bernardo Silva, got told off in the post-game press.

Bernie is my soft spot. He's great, but today he needed to play better. Today, I'm not happy with Bernie, Guardiola said.

He's my soft spot, my favourite, but I'm not happy with him today.

He knows what we need to play better, and he really knows how to compete and play. He has a great ability to step up when things are tough.

He's reliable and can play in five positions, which is amazing, but he didn't play well today.

Erling Haaland was on fire, scoring twice and setting up another goal as Manchester City cruised to a 3-0 win against West Ham, showing they're serious contenders for the title.

Haaland struck early, just five minutes in, at the Etihad Stadium. Then, he assisted Tijjani Reijnders before bagging his second goal later in the game.

He almost got a hat trick near the end.

This win, City's fifth straight in the league, puts pressure on Arsenal, who are at the top of the table.

West Ham, on the other hand, isn't doing so well and will be spending Christmas near the bottom after another poor showing, making it six games without a win.

West Ham started asking questions in the second half, but Haaland's second goal killed any chance of a comeback. That was his 38th goal for club and country this season!

City came out strong, dominating the ball and quickly rewarding Haaland.

They worked the ball down the left, and Nico Gonzalez played Phil Foden into the box. The England midfielder passed it back to Haaland.

Haaland's first shot was blocked, but he blasted the second try into the net.

He nearly scored again soon after but headed wide.

City was totally in charge, patiently waiting for chances.

Other than one cross, West Ham didn't threaten. It wasn't a shock when City scored again.

Cherki got past Mateus Fernandes and found Haaland, who passed to Reijnders.

The Dutchman hammered the ball into the net after Areola saved Reijnders' shot three minutes earlier.

West Ham showed more energy after halftime; Crysencio Summerville won the ball and crossed from the byline.

Gianluigi Donnarumma saved Freddie Potts’ shot, and Fernandes shot over the bar.

Bowen missed as West Ham threatened, but City also had chances.

Haaland sealed the deal with his second goal in the 69th minute.

The city moved forward together with substitutes Savinho and & Rico Lewis.

Two West Ham defenders couldn't clear the ball, and Haaland scored.

Donnarumma blocked Summerville's shot, but Foden and Josko Gvardiol almost scored for City before Haaland missed near the end.