Johnny Sexton appointed as an assistant coach
Haaland scores two past the Hammers on City debut

West Ham 0-2 Manchester City
by Paul Donovan
at London Stadium
WEST HAM succumbed easily to a Manchester City side playing well within themselves at the London Stadium on Sunday.
The home side somehow managed to start the season without four recognised centre-backs — Craig Dawson, Angelo Ogbonna and Nayef Aguerd all injured, Issa Diop not available to play — forcing full-back Ben Johnson to play as makeshift in the role, with Declan Rice playing deeper than usual to try to cover.
The one cause for optimism came with some nice touches from new striker Gianluca Scamacca. But the headlines were taken by new City striker Erling Haaland, who clinically took his two chances.
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