Manchester City's record-breakers made it TWENTY wins in a row - but were made to work hard by a spirited West Ham side.
Ruben Dias and John Stones were both on target for Pep Guardiola as their stock as a partnership grew yet further - proving their effect in both boxes.
It's a result that pulls City 13 points clear of Manchester United in the title race and surely on track for a third Premier League crown in four years.
West Ham will lose their place in the top four if Chelsea beat United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
City took the lead on the half-hour as Dias claimed his first goal for the club.
The defender had gone forward for a set-piece and was still in the box when Kevin de Bruyne picked him out with a superbly-flighted left-foot cross from the right.
Darren Randolph got a hand to Dias' powerful header but could not keep it out.
West Ham went close to finding a quick equaliser as Jesse Lingard broke down the right and pulled the ball across the box.
It took a deflection but Michail Antonio did well to control and shoot on the turn, but his effort clipped the base of the post.
The leveller did come two minutes before half-time after City lost possession in midfield.
Vladimir Coufal broke into the area and, although Lingard did not make clean contact with his shot, Antonio was on hand to tap in.
City reclaimed the lead in the 68th minute with a second goal from a centre-back, this time Stones.
Again the defender had remained in an advanced position after a corner, and he finished superbly with a first-time shot from 10 yards after being picked out by Riyad Mahrez.
