English Football
Haaland nets hat-trick as Man City thrash Forest
Erling Haaland made it back-to-back hat-tricks as Manchester City beat Nottingham Forest 6-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Norwegian took his tally for the Premier League season to nine in just his fifth appearance in the competition with all three of his goals coming in the first half as Steve Cooper’s newly-promoted side just could not cope with City’s new centre-forward.
A wonderful strike from Joao Cancelo made it four before two goals by the impressive Julian Alvarez on his full Premier League debut capped the night for Pep Guardiola’s side.
The victory keeps the Premier League champions within two points of early leaders Arsenal in the table, while Nottingham Forest remain on four points.
There were not that many who felt Haaland would find it difficult adjusting to life in the Premier League, but there were some. They have already proved to be hopelessly wrong.
It is impossible to know how this season will play out at such an early stage, but at the end of it, no-one will be saying the Norwegian is a bad fit.
Erling Haaland put Man City ahead after 12 minutes
His movement may not be a fit for City’s fluid style but his quickness of movement, intelligent running, strength and cool finishing make him a hugely dangerous threat.
Haaland was having his shirt pulled as he advanced onto Phil Foden’s curling cross for his opener. He was part of a fantastic one-touch passing move for the second which ended with the loose ball from a slide tackle on Foden presenting him with a tap-in.
He shrugged opponents out of the way to make sure he was in the right place to head home John Stones’ nod-back for his third.
Guardiola spoke last season about adding someone to his squad who could sniff goals in the way Sergio Aguero used to.
It is worth noting Aguero scored six goals in his first five games after joining City from Atletico Madrid in 2011.
