for its win, which was sealed by another goal by Sterling in

MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester City kept pace with likely title rivals Manchester United and Chelsea by beating West Ham 3-1 on Sunday for a third straight victory in the early stages of the English Premier League season.However, what started as a lesson in pass-and-move, attacking football by City under new coach Pep Guardiola turned into a nervy finish at Etihad Stadium.Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho scored in the opening 18 minutes for City, which carved West Ham open at will in a dominant first-half display that showed Guardiolas influence is already rubbing off on his players.Injury-hit West Ham improved in the second half and Michail Antonios 58th-minute header made City work for its win, which was sealed by another goal by Sterling in injury time when he rounded the goalkeeper and scored from a narrow angle.At least one perfect record will go when United plays City at Old Trafford in the first round of games after the international break.Its early days, but it could well be a shootout for the title between the three teams already at the top of the standings. City currently is ahead of United and Chelsea on goal difference -- and Guardiola said there plenty more to come.Of course, there is still room for improvement, Guardiola said, but we have been playing well and hopefully we can continue doing that.We have to make an amazing performance to win at Old Trafford. I can imagine the atmosphere. I am looking forward to live that experience.Arguably Guardiolas biggest achievement in his first few months at Etihad Stadium is getting the best out of Sterling, who lost his place in the team at the end of last season -- his first at City -- and then had a poor European Championship campaign with England.Now, he is showing the kind of form that persuaded City to spend 49 million pounds (then $76 million) to sign him from Liverpool last year. Creating more space for him to run at defenders seems to be the key difference in Sterling this season.We try to help him to say, `If you stay in that position, you receive the ball quicker, Guardiola said. After, when he receives the ball, it is completely his talent. Man City bought this player because they believe.City has won all five of its competitive matches under Guardiola, including two victories over Steaua Bucharest in Champions League qualifying.In the other game Sunday, Middlesbrough maintained its unbeaten start to life back in the Premier League by drawing 0-0 at West Bromwich Albion in a game of few clear-cut chances.Middlesbrough has five points from three games. Dennis Rodman Jersey . Galatasaray said in a statement on its website Monday that Mancini signed a three-year contract and will be paid 3.5 million euros for the upcoming season, with his salary upped to 4. Keldon Johnson Spurs Jersey . The showiest items on Calgarys lot were forwards Mike Cammalleri and Lee Stempniak. Both will be unrestricted free agents this summer. https://www.spurslockerroom.com/Rudy-Gay-City-Edition-Jersey/ . - The Washington Redskins have cut defensive lineman Adam Carriker and punter Sav Rocca. Tony Parker Spurs Jersey . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. LaMarcus Aldridge Jersey . PAUL, Minn. PHILADELPHIA -- Ryquell Armstead scored a pair of touchdowns and rushed for more yards than hed gained all last month as Temple recovered from an early pick-six to defeat SMU 45-20 on Saturday.The sophomore broke up the left sideline 37 yards to score the games final TD and gained 159 of the Owls 244 yards rushing. Armstead had gained 154 yards in all of September.Jordan Wyatt had SMU on the board before the game was a minute old when he picked off Phillip Walkers third pass and returned it 35 yards for a TTD.ddddddddddddBut Temple (3-2, 1-0 American Athletic) responded with three quick scores -- a Jahad Thomas 12-yard run, a 42-yard pass from Walker to Ventell Bryant and Armsteads 1-yarder -- before the opening quarter ended.Freshman Ben Hicks went 22-for-42 for 199 yards and two TDs for SMU (2-3, 0-1). The Mustangs intercepted Walker twice for 12 on the season, among FBS leaders. ' ' '