"Premier League, Welcome to Erling Haaland" - Kevin De Bruyne hails Manchester City forward after West Ham brace

Kevin De Bruyne is confident of supplying the goods for whoever is playing up top for Manchester City between Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.

Pep Guardiola's side began their title defence with a dominating 2-0 victory against West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday, with Erling Haaland bagging a brace on his Premier League debut.

A week after suffering a 3-1 loss at the hands of Liverpool in the Community Shield, City were by far the better side and though they are yet to fully click into gear, the visitors were a level above the Hammers.

Erling Haaland led the line alongside Jack Grealish and Phil Foden as Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez started the league opener on the bench.

Haaland's movement caught the eye as the Norwegian nearly got on the end of a well-weighed Phil Foden cross in the first half.

The 22-year-old, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund this summer, netted on his first appearance for the club he supported as a child against in a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in pre-season.

This time, Haaland was played through on goal by Ilkay Gundogan and the Leeds-born forward used his pace to beat West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola to the ball and win City a penalty.

With Mahrez amongst the substitutes, there was little debate on who was on spot kick duties as Haaland expertly dispatched the resulting penalty by coolly slotting the ball in the bottom corner.

Manchester City looked more like their usual, fluid selves following the interval and after a brief spell of West Ham possession, Haaland put the tie to bed and truly announced himself to the English top-flight.

Rodri found Kevin De Bruyne near the halfway line and the Belgian played an inch-perfect ball that sliced open the West Ham backline to find Haaland, who made no mistake and scored his second.

Speaking after the game, De Bruyne was asked if he is already relishing the on-field understanding he has formed with City's new marksman.

"Whoever plays in the middle, whether it's Erling (Haaland) or Julian (Alvarez) - I'll try to find," said De Bruyne.

"He (Haaland) will make the runs and if I find him, he will score the goals.

"I'm not putting too much pressure on him, I know there's a lot of hype around him and to start this way, is good for him."

Haaland's movement and his desire to run and receive balls played in behind the opposition defence have left City fans excited for what lies in store for the rest of his debut campaign in Manchester.

Julian Alvarez, who impressed in City's defeat in the Community Shield last weekend, replaced Haaland in the closing stages as Riyad Mahrez came on for Phil Foden.