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 <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/raheem-sterling-scores-hat-trick-as-manchester-city-thrash-west-ham-in-pictures-1.896645">thumping 5-0 win at West Ham United</a> 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."
