Manchester City’s Erling Haaland extends Champions League scoring streak in Villarreal win

VILLARREAL – Erling Haaland extended his remarkable scoring streak to 12 straight matches, as Manchester City recorded a comfortable 2-0 victory at Villarreal in the Champions League on Oct 21.

Bernardo Silva also got on the score sheet during a dominant display by the visitors at La Ceramica that highlighted City's depth and efficiency, with the Norwegian continuing to lead the line in imperious form.

City came close to an early breakthrough seconds after kick-off, when Jeremy Doku’s low shot was superbly saved by Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior.

Pep Guardiola’s City side took the lead in the 17th minute, when Rico Lewis delivered a precise pass for Haaland to fire home a first-time effort from the edge of the six-yard box.

The strike extended Haaland’s scoring streak to 12 consecutive matches and took his Champions League tally to four this season.

Only Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane (19 goals) has scored more for a big-five league European side this term, with Haaland level on 15 goals with Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe.

“(Haaland is) amazing... he’s impossible to defend, he’s such a hard worker and never stops wanting to score,” Lewis told TNT Sports.

“We felt in control for most of the game. There’s always better things we can do... there were a few spells that they had that we could have prevented, but we have to be harsh on ourselves (if) we want to win the competition.”

Villarreal’s best chance of the first half came when Pape Gueye unleashed a powerful long-range strike that narrowly missed the target.

City, however, nearly doubled their lead when Doku capitalised on a Juan Foyth error to send a dangerous cross into the box. Alfonso Pedraza intervened to clear the ball before it reached Savinho at the far post.

The visitors continued to press and doubled their lead in the 40th minute, again thanks to an assist by Lewis from the right, crossing to captain Silva who headed in unmarked from close range.

After half-time, City showed little urgency to extend their lead and Villarreal offered minimal threat, with Junior making a couple of fine saves to prevent further damage.

Said Villarreal coach Marcelino: “They outplayed us in the first half. Those first two chances that didn’t result in goals had a big impact on us, causing us to doubt ourselves.”

City’s win was marred by an injury to midfielder Nico Gonzalez, who was substituted midway through the second half after appearing to suffer a leg muscle injury.

The 23-year-old Spaniard walked off but looked to be in significant discomfort, with Mateo Kovacic replacing him.

City have two wins and a draw from their first three group games, while Villarreal have one point from three matches.

“I see that things are looking good, we are playing a little bit better day after day and that’s a good sign,” Guardiola told broadcaster Movistar, pleased with how his team are shaping up.

Beaten at home by Paris Saint-Germain

last time out, Barcelona bounced back to thump Olympiakos 6-1 at Montjuic as Fermin Lopez starred with a hat-trick.

Lamine Yamal got his name on the score sheet with a penalty and Marcus Rashford scored twice, with Ayoub El Kaabi’s spot kick scant consolation for the Greeks.

However, it was champions PSG who stole the show with their 7-2 win at Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.

Desire Doue scored twice in between goals by Willian Pacho and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for PSG, in a first half which saw Alejandro Grimaldo miss a penalty and Aleix Garcia net from the spot for Leverkusen.

Both sides had a man sent off in the opening period, with Robert Andrich seeing red for Leverkusen and Illia Zabarnyi walking for the visitors.

Nuno Mendes got the French side’s fifth goal shortly after the break and Garcia pulled it back to 5-2.

Ousmane Dembele, on his return from injury and first appearance since winning the Ballon d’Or, got PSG’s sixth and Vitinha completed the scoring at the death. REUTERS, AFP