Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva scored late goals to keep Manchester City’s unbeaten start intact and puncture Paolo Di Canio’s irrational optimism.

Before the game began, the West Ham icon joined the home supporters in a chorus of the well-known song. He was beaming in the seats when James Ward-Prowse gave his team the lead.

Erling Haaland put the seal on a 3-1 away win for Man City

Bernardo Silva set the Premier League champions on their way

However, Jeremy Doku tied the score within 40 seconds into the second half. Silva then won the match with a skillful finish off Julian Alvarez’s lovely assist.

When in a good position, goalbot Haaland suffered at least four instances of malfunction.

Silva’s play in him during the final five minutes was flawless.

One thing never diminished on a day when something had to give: either City’s perfect record or West Ham’s unblemished start.

The disparity in the two teams’ playing styles made for an intriguing match, and the Hammers did more than their share to contribute to a delightfully entertaining afternoon in the sun.

Before Silva’s goal, they had opportunities to make it 2-1, and on a different day, they might have capitalized on Haaland’s earlier inefficiency.

Before the game began, there were some odd moments when Lucas Paqueta hugged Pep Guardiola and a few of his staff after his £60 million move to City was called off due to a bet.

In the first 11 minutes, Paqueta’s current team overcame two significant scares, the first of which was an enormous scramble.

Alphonse Areola stopped Rodri’s original corner header and Foden’s subsequent cross, and then Aguerd stopped Rodri’s second attempt. Haaland poked the ball goalward, but Tomas Soucek cleared it off the line. Areola then ended an amazing run of play by expertly diverting Ruben Dias’ close-range header over the crossbar.

But a short while later, Haaland shouldn’t have been able to be stopped.

The Norwegian had a clear shot at the goal from Josko Gvardiol’s cross, but he mishit it.

For the remainder of the half, despite having virtually all of the ball, City could only muster shots from the edge of the box.

When Soucek headed on Jarrod Bowen’s corner and Aguerd could only connect with his shoulder, West Ham had a dangerous look from set pieces.

But they gained the upper hand after a traditional counterattack.

James Ward-Prowse scores the opener for the Hammers

Midfielder Ward-Prowse celebrates like a Hammer

Jeremy Doku dropped the ball, and Vladimir Coufal ran off without any resistance from City. Ward-Prowse, who stooped to conquer and head past Ederson, was worthy of the Czech’s cross.

Just before halftime, Haaland ought to have equalized. In spite of this, he managed to put so little on Doku’s cross to the back post when he had another open goal that Aguerd was able to clear it.

At halftime, Guardiola turned City on and off once more, and the restart took place after 40 seconds.

Doku was freed by Julian Alvarez, who continued running and made a far too-easy cut inside Coufal before passing the ball into the far post.

Areola had to make a save after Foden’s header, and Dias blasted the rebound over the crossbar.

Alvarez’s long-range free-kick struck the post. Haaland’s dexterous attempt from a Gvardiol pass was stopped by Areola.

Haaland celebrates putting the icing on the cake for City

Match winners Silva and Haaland proved to be the difference

West Ham came close to retaking the lead three times just as a second City goal seemed to be coming.

Michail Antonio was put through on goal by Paqueta, but Ederson was able to stop him with a hefty touch. After Emerson’s attempt was deflected wide, Ederson made the best save of the game to stop Zouma’s strong header from the next corner.

As the game progressed from beginning to final, the pleasure never stopped. Gvardiol tested Areola, and West Ham missed two excellent opportunities to take advantage of the break.

Silva forced them to pay.

After putting up a pretty good defensive performance for the Hammers, Aguerd appeared to misunderstand Alvarez’s exquisite lofted pass. Haaland fought the urge to give the ball one last touch in case Silva was offside as he sprinted in from behind him and dinked the ball into the goal.

But it was impossible to dismiss the Norwegian. He collected Silva’s pass in stride and sent a left-foot shot into the corner against a worn-out home defense.

Thus, after a battle between two European title winners, the class of the Champions League beat the grit of the Conference League.