The 21-year-old winger continued his stellar early season form with a double as City continued their 100 per cent start to the season.
He finished off an exhilarating, free-flowing move down the left to put City ahead early on before settling the game late on with a precision finish.
He said: “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.
“For the second, if I did not pass and it hit the post, I would have got caned by my team-mates 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 dibbling as much.”
Kevin De Bruyne, who fizzed in the free-kick for Fernandinho to head City two up, felt that the team really clicked in the first half.
Michail Antonio’s header after the break made for an uncomfortable spell for the Blues but Sterling ensured City went top on goal difference.
De Bruyne added: “I think the first half was really good. West Ham didn’t have many chances, you knew they were going to come into more after half time but overall I think we deserved it.
“We created quite a lot of chances, all the players played really well through the lines which makes it really difficult for the other team to defend. If we can keep it up we will create a lot of chances this season.”
