West Ham United

James Jones
Fan writer

There's no shame in losing to Manchester City. Especially this Manchester City, which is led by the most prolific striker in Premier League history.

But, much in the same way we saw a lot of things to be positive about in the previous two league games of the season, our 3-1 defeat to Pep Guardiola's side on Saturday evening gave us several more reasons to be excited for what's to come.

On paper, it's been a tough start to the season for West Ham. We've played two of last season's top four, one of those being the current Premier League champions, and had an away trip to a side that finished as the most in-form team at the end of last term. There will have been many predicting the Hammers to have zero points after three games.

Instead, we have three, and could've had more had we not conceded so late on at home to Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the season.

The fixtures aren't going to get much easier, either. We still have to play Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United before November, with difficult away trips to Fulham and Brentford in between.

But if we play like we did against Manchester City we can be relatively confident that good results will follow. That's because there were moments in the game that had West Ham causing City some problems. We hit the woodwork twice and forced Ederson into a couple of really good saves.

Against any other team in the Premier League the result may have been different on Saturday. As the squad continues to gel and get used to Julen Lopetegui's style, we'll only get better and stronger.

It might still be early days, but that's why I'm very excited to see how the rest of this season plays out.

Find more from James Jones at We Are West Ham, external

West Ham are interested in 33-year-old former Liverpool defender Joel Matip and 31-year-old Republic of Ireland international and ex-Sheffield United player John Egan, as they look to the free-agent market for a new centre-back. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Stephen asked: Hi Phil, interested to know what you think about the early stages of Julen Lopetegui's reign and how they might get on this year? It feels like there are some positive signs starting to emerge despite the loss to Manchester City.

Phil replied: I’d say mixed, Stephen but that is only to be expected. They might have hoped to get more from the home game against Aston Villa but they were beaten by an outstanding side in Manchester City.

The win at Crystal Palace hinted at what they could become and things are just settling down. New manager in Julen Lopetegui and lots of new players. I think West Ham will have a very decent season.

Image source, PA Media

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between West Ham and Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

Jim: Don’t think West Ham were embarrassed. Put City under a lot of pressure at times that they really don’t like. Without Haaland, the game would’ve been much more equal score-wise and we’re still trying to bed in the new players and manager. There’s a lot more to come from this Hammers team.

Gerald: Early days, however the performance was very much like David Moyes at the helm. I would prefer a team with an all-out attack mindset. City are an exceptional team so trying to beat them playing counter-attacking football does not work.

Harry: I think we played all right in the second half. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is amazing, and for £15m is an absolute bargain. The new signings need time to gel and we need to take our chances more often but, apart from that, very good from the lads.

Brian: A work in progress. We played the top side and gave it a go. Some new signings are settling in faster than others. By Christmas, we shall have a much better idea of a regular team.

City fans

Scott: How many more superlatives can we bestow upon Haaland? The numbers are incredible, the variety of goals he has scored is phenomenal, yet he sometimes looks embarrassed with the ease it comes to him. The humility he shows, the praise of his team mates and his awareness of the task ahead all show the measure of the man. I am very grateful to be witnessing it.

Darron: City started slowly, but settled and scored and should have been four up by half-time. It was a soft own goal for the equaliser. For me, Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku did not capitalise on the space West Ham allowed them in the first half. In the second half, the midfield was too easily overrun as West Ham pushed for an equaliser. Awesome finishing from Haaland - he looks so sharp!

Tim: Another ruthless performance and hat-trick from Haaland. The three goals were different in execution and gave City the deserved victory. Overall, an excellent team performance with notable players like Grealish, Haaland, Ederson and Bernardo Silva putting on a masterclass. West Ham were unlucky not to get back in game but job done for the league leaders.

Derek: We were sloppy at times, and if West Ham had been granted some good fortune, the scoreline could have been tighter. I worry when we are so open at the back. Saying that, we did the business.

Watch all the highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures with Gary and the team.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Leicester 1-2 Aston Villa

• West Ham 1-3 Man City

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui speaking to BBC MOTD: "It is true City is one of the best teams around the world for sure, in history, but it is true too that in the second half we have been very close to a draw. I think we have played one very good second half.

The start has been very good for us too, but against this kind of team if you make a mistake they don't forgive. This is the difference they have, one of the differences. A little mistake they punish you, they punish us. One bad moment for us.

On Erling Haaland: "That’s right, they can score, make incredible actions showing one of the best players in the world. It was a pity because the team made a big effort.

"He is one of the best players in the world, that's why he plays for Manchester City. You have to compete with these kind of players. City has the power and the quality to create chances.

Today I think the first goal was a pity for us but I’ve said it. I was happy with the performance think we were able to draw but again they damage us."

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham are winless in 10 Premier League home games against Manchester City (D3 L7).

Only against Manchester United between February 1994 and November 2005 have they been on a longer run without victory against a single opponent (11 games).

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Trying to take points off Manchester City is a difficult task for any side, let alone when they face them with Erling Haaland in the form he currently is.

The Norway striker scored a hat-trick - his second in a row - as Pep Guardiola's side claimed a 3-1 victory at London Stadium.

If not for his current deadly prowess in front of goal, however, West Ham may have got something from this game.

They were a distant second best in the first half but were much improved after the break, particularly after Mohammed Kudos hit the woodwork.

But they did not capitalise on their improved spell as their finishing proved poor, substitute Niclas Fullkrug summing it up in the closing stages when he stabbed wide from a promising position.

The Hammers have taken three points from three games so far, but their defeats were against City and Aston Villa - who are likely to be up challenging the top four again this season.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

West Ham fans, have your say on the performance, external

What did you make of the game, Manchester City fans?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Follow reaction and read the match report

There are seven Premier League games this Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction throughout the day.

All times BST

Follow all the action and reaction here

BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries:

• Leicester v Aston Villa

• West Ham v Man City

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week three, he takes on MOBO Award-winning drum & bass legend and producer Adam F.

Sutton's prediction: 1-3

I can't see anyone stopping Manchester City at this time, they just dominate teams, dominate games. I think that City will win this one.

West Ham, it looks like Michael Antonio will lead the line. I love Niklas Fullkrug and would love to see him get a start, I don't know whether he will because Antonio was on the bench in the League Cup. I think West Ham will score but I think Man City will score more.

Adam F's prediction: 1-3

City are just so hard to stop.

Read the full predictions and have your say

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham forward Maxwel Cornet has joined Southampton on loan for the remainder of the season.

The 27-year-old has made 37 appearances since arriving at the Hammers two seasons ago.

He was was also part of the 2023 Europa Conference League winning squad.

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham have secured the signature of Paris St-Germain midfielder Carlos Soler on an initial loan.

Soler, 27, moved to the French capital from Valencia in 2022 and is also a Spain international.

His transfer to London is another acquisition for new Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui, who has already brought in the likes of Niclas Fullkrug and Aaron Wan-Bissaka this summer.

Soler expressed his delight at sealing a move to London and the Premier League with West Ham, commenting: "I am really excited to be here as a West Ham player.

"It has always been a dream of mine to play in the Premier League, and to be doing it in London with a club like West Ham is an incredible feeling.

"I can’t wait to feel the support of the fans, who I have already heard so much about from conversations with people who know the club, like my good friend Pablo Fornals.

"I am excited about meeting my new team-mates and giving my all for this club in the best league in the world.”

Follow all of the transfer deadline day deals

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham United centre-back Nayef Aguerd has joined La Liga outfit Real Sociedad on a season-long loan.

The Morocco international arrived at London Stadium from Stade Rennais in June 2022 and has gone on to make 58 appearances for the Hammers.

Aguerd was also part of David Moyes' team that won the Uefa Conference League in 2022-23.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham midfielder James Ward-Prowse is on his way to Nottingham Forest.

The 29-year-old travelled to Nottingham for a medical this morning in a deal that is a straight loan.

Forest are also trying to sign 23-year-old Brazilian defender Morato from Benfica for about £12.6m.