Manchester City winger Nolito. (Photo : Getty Images)
Pre-tournament favorites Manchester City FC (2-0-0, 6 points) is scheduled to host Europa League qualifiers West Ham United FC (1-1-0, 3 points) at their home ground of the Etihad Stadium on Aug. 28, Sunday as the 2016-2017 Premier League season moves forward.
Manchester City is currently on top of the English top flight table after two straight wins. They are tied on points with cross-city rivals Manchester United, Chelsea, and Hull City, but the Citizens have a superior goals-scored statistic among the four teams.
After City nipped Sunderland, 2-1, in their season-opener on Aug. 13, the team demolished Stoke City, 4-1, on the road at the Bet365 Stadium last Saturday to temporarily earn first place in the overall standings, as per SkySports.
Braces from striker Sergio Agüero and newly-acquired winger Nolito comprised the four-goal haul of head coach Pep Guardiola's men as they walk over the Potters in their Week 2 affair.
The Argentine goalscorer netted the opener via penalty kick at the 27th minute before doubling the lead just nine minutes later with a header off a brilliant delivery from Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne following a free kick.
Potters forward Bojan Krkic was able to cut the lead to only one point with his own spot kick at the 49th.
However, the Citizens came back with two more goals late in the game, at the 86th and 90th+5 minutes, from newcomer Nolito, who substituted for Jesus Navas at the 69th.
Meanwhile, West Ham nipped a 10-man Bournemouth side, 1-0, at the London Stadium last Sunday for their first win this term, The Guardian reported.
History was made during the match as not only midfielder Michail Antonio headed the winning goal in the match but he also sank the club's first-ever goal at their new home field of London Stadium at the 85th minute.
The goal came after the Cherries' Irish midfielder Harry Arter was sent off with a second yellow card at the 77th following a foul on the Hammers' Cheikhou Kouyaté.
The predicted result is a 3-1 romp for Manchester City.
Manchester City starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Caballero; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Stones, Kolarov; De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Silva; Navas, Agüero, Sterling
West Ham United starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Adrian; Byram, Collins, Reid, Masuaku; Kouyate, Nordtveit; Tore, Noble, Antonio; Valencia
