It may have been a Manchester derby, but for Erling Haaland it was just another game and another record set.
His three goals in 6-3 defeat of Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium he made sure to become the first player to score three consecutive hat-tricks at home in the Premier League.
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The 22-year-old is so used to scoring – and scoring hat-tricks – that he nonchalantly put his arm around teammate Phil Foden in his post-match interview and joked that each of them could have had a ball after birth at Stockport. . The striker also scored three goals against United.
Former United and City goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel told BBC Radio 5 Live that you could “see different players in Haaland” and it’s like “the best strikers all rolled into one”.
“The biggest part of a good striker is patience. I’ve played against some of the best forwards and when they lose that’s when you really need to focus, ”added Schmeichel.
“The Cristiano Ronaldo, the Filippo Inzaghi of this world, disappear and suddenly have the opportunity.
“When you look at Haaland, you see different players. That Zlatan-style goal, and there’s Ronaldo too. You see the best strikers in one.
“That is why he is so dangerous. He has the luxury of seeing many of the best forwards and they are all in one player.
Haaland now has 14 goals in his eight Premier League games, double the total of Harry Kane, who is second on the top scorers list.
“Numbers are scary”
“Yes, not bad,” was Haaland’s response when Sky Sports asked him about his derby performance.
“We scored six goals. What can I say? Winning at home, scoring six goals is good. In the end, it’s unbelievable. There is nothing more to say, “he added.
He has often been “nice” to Haaland since joining City, with manager Pep Guardiola calling his scoring stats “appalling”.
“The numbers speak for themselves. He already did it here. It’s not just our way. We always try to help him in our environment, “said Guardiola.
“We have this incredible feeling that you always look hungry and is very competitive. The numbers are scary “.
Haaland’s latest hat-trick brought his tally to 17 goals and three assists in his last 11 games.
He has already scored three more goals in his first eight Premier League games than the previous record held by Mick Quinn, Papiss Cissé and Diego Costa after 10 games.
His nine goals in his first five games have made him the top scorer in August of any Premier League season.
| Player | Appearances |
| Erling Haaland | 8 |
| Michael Owen | 48 |
| Ruud van Nistelrooy | 59 |
| Fernando Torres | 64 |
| andy cole | Sixty-five |
The Norwegian forward was also the first player to score in the first four Premier League away games and is the youngest player to score 25 Champions League goals.
“Never before have I scored three hat-tricks in three home games. It’s unbelievable, ”Haaland told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Confidence is good, it has always been good. After Community Shield [defeat by] Liverpool were still good. It was great that this match took place and I knew I just had to be ready.
“A couple of days before the Manchester derby I felt that something special was going to happen and some special things happened, so that’s okay. These are the games I want to play.”
What records could he break this season?
Haaland’s goal rate showcased many Premier League records:
- Most Premier League goals in a season: 34 Andy Cole (Newcastle United; 1993-94 – 42 games) and Alan Shearer (Blackburn Rovers; 1994-95 – 42 games). 32 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool; 2017-18 – 38 games).
- Most Premier League goals in a rookie season: 30 Kevin Phillips (Sunderland; 1999-00)
It’s also a quarter short of former Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero’s 12-hat-trick record, a Premier League record he set between 2011-12 and 2020-21.
Tottenham striker Harry Kane holds the record for most Premier League goals in a calendar year with 39 in 2017.
If Haaland maintains his current goal rate, assuming he has played in all league games, he would also beat England’s record of 60 goals in a season in England’s top flight, set by Everton’s Dixie Dean in 1927-28.
“Haaland will break Shearer’s record”
The pace at which Haaland is scoring prompted former Chelsea forward Chris Sutton to tell BBC Radio 5 Live that “he’s a monster”.
He also compared him to his former Blackburn Rovers striker Alan Shearer, who still holds the record for the most goals scored in the Premier League with 260.
“If Haaland stays, Shearer’s record is gone. I’m not sure Harry Kane will get there. This guy has absolutely everything.”
«Robbie Savage said he will get 51 goals. He is not ridiculous. If you stay fit, it’s really doable. “
Former England defender Jonathan Woodgate said he “has never seen a center forward as clinical as Haaland” and that “he has it all”.
“He finds space in the area and is devastating when he comes in. A phenomenal, phenomenal talent. I don’t see a real weakness in his game,” Woodgate told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“If you want to fight him, he will fight with you. If you want to try to compete with him, he will compete with you and beat you. He has everything you could want from a center forward. “
“If Manchester City had had Haaland last season, they would have won the Champions League.”
‘Special’ hat-trick for the local boy
But it wasn’t just Haaland who stole the headlines on Sunday as Academy graduate Foden scored his first hat-trick as a senior.
At 22 years and 127 days, he also became the youngest player to reach 50 goals under Guardiola, surpassing Lionel Messi.
“A hat-trick from a local guy is special. It is so beautiful to see. Making a hat-trick in a derby, what more could you ask for? Former City defender Micah Richards told Sky Sports.
Woodgate added: “England should build their team around Foden, he is so good. What a fantastic talent.”
Foden, a lifelong City fan, said it was a “dream come true” to score his first goals against Manchester United.
Guardiola added: “His desire, how he runs, is the main thing. He deserves to play every time and then he has quality. He is a young player who deserves everything.”
‘Haaland is the best striker on the planet’: how he reacted
Adam: Haaland is the best striker on the planet right now. Only Lewandoski approaches him. Phenomenal.
Tim: Oh. The only way to stop Haaland from scoring is by moving to Chelsea … (Chelsea fan).
Mahsh: It’s okay if Haaland keeps scoring like this, he’ll get bored soon and leave soon instead of waiting 2 and a half years.
larry: Dinner is served. KDB is cooking.
teflon gift: Man City went and bought a monster. Haaland is a force of nature, an act of God.
Doug: I hope Kane and Son enjoy that goal / assist partnership record while it lasts. At this rate, Haaland and De Bruyne will have it by the middle of next season.
Andrés: De Bruyne / Haaland union could dominate club football for the next 4-5 seasons.
David: As it stands, Haaland will beat Alan Shearer’s Premier League goal record before Harry Kane!
Pedro: Haaland is a machine. Keep pumping those goals. I was initially skeptical if he could star in the PL, boy was I wrong.
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