Pep Guardiola Calls on Manchester City to Enhance Performance After Beating West Ham

Pep Guardiola conceded that Manchester City must step up their game if they aim to secure the Premier League trophy, even following Erling Haaland's impressive showing in the 3-0 triumph over West Ham on Saturday.

Haaland grabbed a pair of goals and provided an assist for Tijjani Reijnders' strike, turning City's relaxed pre holiday fixture at the Etihad Stadium into another push against Arsenal in the tense championship contest.

Yet, while this marked City's fifth consecutive league success, placing them at the Premier League summit ahead of Arsenal's trip to Everton later that Saturday, Guardiola remains unsatisfied with his squad's efforts.

"I'm happy, I cannot deny that, we are fourth in the Champions League and in the semi-finals of the League Cup, but the way we played with the ball we have to improve," he said.

"Otherwise, it will not be enough to arrive in March and April to be contenders to win titles.

"I want to be honest. I said to the players, 'Merry Christmas everyone but it will not be enough if we don't improve'."

Guardiola has steered City to six Premier League crowns over his remarkable spell in charge, building deep expertise on excelling in the tough English elite division.

Bothered by City's sporadic lack of sharpness versus West Ham, Guardiola insisted on a fiercer approach during periods of dominance.

"In the first half we controlled the game but even with that we were not in the right places to create and we talked about that. We had to create more chances to be solid," he said.

"In the second half when they made a step up we continued to play not good. We did not do the right process to do what we have to do.

"If they had scored to make it 2-1, West Ham would have made it 2-2."

Highlighting the upsides of the win, Guardiola commended Haaland for his precise brace, plus the lively contributions from Phil Foden and Nico O'Reilly.

The high scoring Norwegian has now notched 38 goals across club and international duty this campaign.

"There were many good things. Offensively, Erling. I always have to thank Erling for the goals but today thanks to him and Phil and Nico they helped us to do this type of game," he said.

"Defensively we are improving. We are visualising it with the ball."