Manchester Metropolis enable Erling Haaland to “do what he needs”, supervisor Pep Guardiola has mentioned after the striker moved 4 targets clear within the Premier League high scorer standings with a hat-trick in a 3-1 win at West Ham.
Haaland’s treble – his second in seven days following Metropolis’s 4-1 dwelling thrashing of Ipswich City on August 24 – despatched the reigning champions high of the desk, with solely Liverpool capable of transfer stage on factors with them earlier than subsequent week’s worldwide break.
“From the start, he was unbelievable,” Guardiola advised Sky Sports activities. “It’s a must to let him do what he needs. He scored three targets right this moment however he didn’t lose one ball.
“As we speak is likely one of the video games the place he has performed the most effective in all conditions. Once you see the video games and see what we wish to do, he understands as a result of he is a great man. He needs to attain targets.”
3️⃣ appearances
7️⃣ targetsUnbelievable, @ErlingHaaland 🤯 pic.twitter.com/vKuIoQntev
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) August 31, 2024
Haaland vs West Ham
The 24-year-old’s complete of 21 touches was the fewest of any beginning participant from both facet, with solely West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, who was substituted at half-time however nonetheless had three extra touches than Haaland, on the ball as comparatively hardly ever.
Two-time Premier League high scorer Haaland is already on track to complete because the main marksman within the division for a 3rd successive marketing campaign, having latched on to Bernardo Silva’s go and stroked a composed end past Areola after 10 minutes on the London Stadium.
West Ham levelled by Ruben Dias’ own-goal 9 minutes later however Haaland restored Metropolis’s benefit with an emphatic Thirtieth-minute strike from contained in the field.
A deft chip over Lukasz Fabianski accomplished Haaland’s eleventh hat-trick for Metropolis after he beat West Ham’s offside entice with seven minutes remaining.
Erling Haaland. That’s all.#ManCity pic.twitter.com/4iZnJz2jZz
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) August 31, 2024
Premier League targets file
Ought to Haaland match the rely of 36 targets he recorded in his first season at Metropolis, he shall be on 99 within the Premier League.
At that fee, it might take Haaland an additional 5 seasons to eclipse the Premier League file of 260 targets by Newcastle and Blackburn Rovers legend Alan Shearer.
“With this mindset he has, he can do the whole lot,” mentioned Guardiola. “The numbers, with the [young] age and the video games he’s performed. He’s liked for what he does on the pitch.”
The second-leading marksman within the 2024-25 marketing campaign is Noni Madueke, who has three targets courtesy of his hat-trick in Chelsea’s 6-2 win at Wolves final Sunday.
