Raheem Sterling puts Manchester City glory ahead of personal goals

England forward opened his season with a hat-trick against West Ham

Raheem Sterling celebrates his goal for Manchester City. Reuters

Gabriel Jesus scored City's first goal. Reuters

VAR was used for the first time in a Premier League involving the two sides. Getty

Sterling looks to make a break for City. Getty

Rodri was making his Premier League debut for City. AFP

It was a tough day for former City manager Manuel Pellegrini as his West Ham side were beaten. AFP

Man City's players had plenty to celebrate. Getty

Sterling embraces Kevin De Bruyne after scoring City's second goal. AFP

Sterling slides home City's second goal. AP Photo

Sergio Aguero was on the bench for City's opening game, but came on to score a penalty. Reuters

Gabriel Jesus nets City's opening goal. Reuters

Kevin De Bruyne stretches for the ball for City. AFP

The London Stadium saw City maintain their winning run in the Premier League, that stretches back to February. Getty

Jesus celebrates scoring City's first league goal of the season. AFP

City players celebrate with Jesus. AFP

Sterling complains after he has a goal ruled out for offside. Reuters

VAR confirms that Sterling has a goal disallowed for offside. PA Photo

Raheem Sterling was delighted to start the Premier League season with a hat-trick, while Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes the England international is perfectly suited to being a central striker.

Sterling, 24, helped the champions begin their 2019/20 campaign with a thumping 5-0 win at West Ham United on Saturday, his three goals coming after Gabriel Jesus' opener while Sergio Aguero scored City's fourth from the penalty spot before Sterling completed his treble in injury time.

"It feels good but the important thing was starting well as a team and getting the win and the three points," Sterling told CityTV.

"That's what we've done and it's a great way to start the season. It's always good to score goals but at the same time you want to get a run of clean sheets going as well and long may it continue."

Sterling is expected to be a contender for this season's Golden Boot, but he added: "It's early days. It's about enjoying it and keeping winning - that's the most important thing."

Sterling, who was voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association last season, scored 25 goals in all competitions across the campaign.

Guardiola said that Sterling, who began the contest on the left of their attacking trident after record goalscorer Sergio Aguero dropped to the bench, had the versatility to perform in any position across the forward line.

"Since we started this season in China and the Community Shield he's scored one goal minimum every game," Guardiola told City's website.

"On the first day he played as a striker and for me striker will be an incredible position for him. He can play in three positions up front.

"They're incredibly talented players but they need the group.... When the team takes a step forward he plays better. But I know the special quality of the player, the consistent physicality and the finishing."

For West Ham, it was a chastening start to the season, having spent more than £70 million (Dh310m) over the summer but were left chasing shadows in the second half.

However, stand-in captain Aaron Creswell said the team will not get too disheartened after losing to the best team in the league.

"This one game isn't going to define our season," Creswell said. "We have another game next week (at Brighton) that we need to look forward to, capitalise on, and take three points from there.

"In the first half the game was close. Once they got the second and third it was game over.

"It's difficult to come back against City, but we will review the game, look at what went wrong and try to put it right next week."