Erling Haaland has broken a Premier League scoring record and equalled another after netting twice and providing an assist to help Manchester City stroll to a 3-0 victory against rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
After scoring a brace in City’s 3-1 win over Young Boys in the Champions League on Wednesday, Haaland put the Citizens in front with a 26th-minute penalty against the Red Devils after Rasmus Hojlund clumsily brought down Rodri inside the area.
Haaland then doubled his tally and City’s advantage with a close-range header four minutes after the interval following a brilliant team move sweeping through United’s half, before the Norwegian resisted the temptation of completing his hat-trick by setting up Phil Foden for a tap-in to round off a dominant display on the red side of Manchester
City’s No.9 has now scored 11 goals in 10 Premier League games this season, three more than his nearest challengers Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-min.
Last season’s Premier League Golden Boot winner has increased his overall goal tally in the English top flight to a remarkable 47 after just 45 games, including a record-breaking 20 goals in just 23 away fixtures.
Indeed, Haaland has become the fastest player to score 20 away goals in the Premier League, surpassing the previous record held by Kevin Phillips who required 28 away matches to reach the 20-goal mark
Haaland has also equalled Sergio Aguero with the most goals and assists by a Man City player in Premier League Manchester derbies, with two goals and an assist on Sunday moving him up to eight goal contributions despite playing in just three league meetings with the Red Devils.
The Norwegian is just one Manchester-derby goal contribution behind former Man United striker Wayne Rooney (nine), two behind Eric Cantona (10) and four adrift of Ryan Giggs (13) at the top of the charts.
Discussing his goals and the victory at Old Trafford in a post-match interview with Sky Sports, Haaland said: “Amazing. A fantastic win. The game was incredible today, the whole team and everything.
“I felt it a little bit, pressure for the penalty. I had the pressure and I scored and it was a fantastic feeling. It was a nice celebration, for both of them. It was a nice game. (For the third goal) I saw Phil was alone so it was simple as that.
“It was an incredible save (by Andre Onana) right before the half time. He did another fantastic save in the second half when I chipped it, he saved it with his head. It is what it is. We won so I don’t care.”
Man City have accumulated 24 points from their opening 10 Premier League games this season and sit third in the table, eight points clear of Man United in eighth and two points behind Tottenham Hotspur at the summit.
Guardiola’s side will look to close in on Spurs at the top when they welcome Bournemouth to the Etihad Stadium for their next top-flight fixture in six days’ time.
