Aug 28, 2016 at 4pm UK at ​Etihad Stadium
Man CityManchester City
3-1
West HamWest Ham United
Sterling (7', 92'), Fernandinho (18')
Fernandinho (6')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Antonio (58')
Masuaku (14'), Fletcher (48'), Noble (51')

Raheem Sterling: 'Pep Guardiola given me authority to attack'

Raheem Sterling of Manchester City celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach at Etihad Stadium on December 8, 2015 in Manchester, United Kingdom.
© Getty Images
Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling reveals that his improved form this season is down to Pep Guardiola giving him more license to get forward.

Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling has revealed that Pep Guardiola has given him more license to attack.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed a fine start to the new Premier League season, and continued that form with two goals to help City to a 3-1 victory over West Ham United this afternoon.

It is in stark contrast to a difficult first campaign for Sterling at the Etihad Stadium, but the England international revealed that Guardiola has played a part in his improvement.

"We have players that get into pockets and good with one-twos. We had good build-up and I got in a good position for the first goal," he told reporters.

"For the second, if I did not pass and it hit the post, I would have got caned by my teammates for it. I thought shooting was the better option.

"Reborn? I keep seeing that word. It was a difficult first season at a new club but the manager Pep Guardiola has come in and given me a lot of authority to go forward. He even had go at me for not dribbling as much."

Sterling is already closing in on his goalscoring tally from last season, when he scored six times in 31 league appearances.

Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring Man City's opener against Sunderland on December 26, 2015
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City33009369
2Chelsea33007259
3Manchester UnitedMan Utd33006159
4Everton32104227
5Hull City32014226
6Middlesbrough31203215
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs31203215
8Arsenal31116514
9Leicester CityLeicester31113304
10West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom31112204
11Liverpool311156-14
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham310235-23
13Burnley310224-23
14Swansea CitySwansea310224-23
15Southampton302124-22
16Sunderland301235-21
17Crystal Palace301213-21
18Watford301236-31
19Bournemouth301225-31
20Stoke CityStoke301226-41