Erling Haaland becoming unstoppable, Pep Guardiola says after 11th hat-trick

LONDON – Erling Haaland’s scoring exploits already made him a daunting prospect for English Premier League defenders, but the Norwegian striker’s second hat-trick in as many games against West Ham United on Aug 31 suggests he may have got even better.

The 24-year-old Norwegian scored his 11th hat-trick for City to extend the champions’ perfect start to their title defence, notching up his seventh goal in three league games this season.

Eight of those trebles have come in the Premier League, meaning he is now just four hat-tricks behind the competition’s all-time leader Sergio Aguero (12 in 275 games), formerly of City.

Haaland is now joint-fourth in the rankings, alongside Thierry Henry, Harry Kane and Michael Owen. Alan Shearer sits second on 11, with Robbie Fowler third on nine.

But crucially, Haaland has taken just 69 matches to reach his tally, meaning his strike rate is far superior than any of the other seven players.

Haaland’s first was a sublime finish past Alphonse Areola after Bernardo Silva played him in one-on-one, while his second was a close-range thunderbolt that almost broke the net.

When he charged towards goal late on, there was no doubting the outcome, so much so that City boss Pep Guardiola thinks defenders cannot deny him even with extreme measures.

“The first goal, Bernardo wins the ball, pass the ball and finish or the third goal, with the space behind, it’s unstoppable,” Guardiola said.

“There is no central defender, not even with a gun – it’s impossible, so fast, so powerful.”

Guardiola said Haaland had struggled with niggles last season, when he was still the league's top scorer with 27 goals, and was now an even more devastating player.

Haaland, who recorded his 70th Premier League goal in his 69th game, said he was feeling the benefits of having a rest.

“I feel good, I feel energised,” he told Sky Sports.

“I had a long vacation and pre-season. I feel good.

“The years I’ve been here have been really fast. Now I’ve got some rest in my body and my feet. Now I’m ready for more.”

West Ham’s equaliser came against the run of play after 18 minutes, when Ruben Dias deflected Jarrod Bowen’s cross into his own net, but they had no answer for Haaland.

Former City and England defender Micah Richards said on Sky Sports: “Haaland was the difference.

“His ruthlessness in front of goal is why he has scored so many.

“It’s extraordinary. He’s one of the best I’ve ever seen. Everything about his performance today was top notch.”

City have three wins from three to open up an early two-point lead over last season’s runners-up Arsenal, who drew 1-1 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in the early game on Aug 31.

West Ham have three points from three games and their manager Julen Lopetegui said his team needed to be more clinical against top teams.

“I think that we start the match very well,” he said. “We didn’t score in this moment... you have to take advantage of this moment, if not it’s very difficult.

“In the second half, in my opinion, we deserved more but we played against one team that, (if) you want to beat them, you have to be very close to perfection.”
REUTERS