Football: Guardiola hails 'incredible' hat-trick hero Haaland
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Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring his team's first goal against Wolves.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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MANCHESTER – Pep Guardiola hit back at suggestions Erling Haaland would not adapt to Manchester City’s style of play after the Norwegian scored his fourth hat-trick of the season in a 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 22-year-old now has 25 English Premier League goals in just 19 appearances and 31 in total just halfway through his first season with the English champions.
Haaland broke former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of being the fastest player to four Premier League hat-tricks. Haaland’s four came in 19 games, van Nistelrooy’s in 65.
“The numbers are incredible,” said Guardiola.
“He lives 24 hours for his profession, job, passion, love.
“He’s not stressed much when it’s going well or going bad. He is stable.”
Haaland’s remarkable scoring rate has slowed slightly in recent weeks and with City trailing Arsenal by five points in the title race, having played a game more. And questions had been asked over whether Guardiola’s men function better as a team without a natural striker.
City have won the title for the past two years while largely playing without a recognised No. 9.
“When he played and scored, I don’t know many goals, he is the solution and everything of the team and when he does not score, he is the problem in our team,” added Guardiola.
“We know his quality. We know each other. He is not a player to be dropped. We can’t play the false nine with him. You have to adapt some movements with him and we are doing quite well.”
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland scores the second goal of his hat-trick.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
A comfortable win was just what Guardiola was looking for after he called out a lack of hunger and desire from his squad to retain the title after coming from behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 on Thursday.
“We talk a little bit these days about what we think we miss,” said Guardiola. “It’s just one game. We will see in the future.
“Our football was really, really good. Today, we improved. That was just today. We will see what happens in the next games.”
Wolves have now won just one of their last seven matches in all competitions, and only goal difference separates them from the relegation zone.
Said their new coach Julen Lopetegui: “We made mistakes but the first half worried me more than the second half.
“It’s always possible to improve the squad while the (transfer) window is open but it’s important to improve the players who are already here.” AFP, REUTERS
