Erling Haaland issued a commanding and foreboding statement to Manchester City’s competitors by netting five goals in their 6-2 triumph over Luton in the FA Cup.
The 23-year-old Norway striker, Erling Haaland, etched his name in history as the first City player to score five goals in a game more than once, propelling Pep Guardiola’s side into the FA Cup quarter-finals.
After a two-month absence due to a foot injury, Haaland recently returned to action. Taking the necessary time to regain full fitness, he expressed readiness to lead City’s pursuit of another treble.
City, who achieved the treble last season, currently trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by just one point. Furthermore, they hold a 3-1 advantage heading into the second leg of their Champions League last-16 encounter against Copenhagen.
“It’s coming, we’re coming,” Haaland told ITV.
“My fitness? I am getting back to my best. Finally I am feeling good. It’s an amazing feeling. Exciting times ahead. We are ready to attack.”
The former Borussia Dortmund forward certainly looked close to his top level as he tormented the Luton defence at Kenilworth Road with a combination of his physical prowess, elite movement and ruthless finishing proving to be far too much for Rob Edwards’ team to handle.
Haaland has broken countless records since arriving at Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2022 and has scored 30 more goals in all competitions than any other Premier League player since then, despite his absence this season.
“This is world class from Haaland, world class,” former Manchester United captain Roy Keane said on ITV.
“He is prolific, making great runs, a natural scorer, great attitude. He is a machine.”
Record-breaking Haaland
- Haaland is the first player to score five or more for a top-flight club in the FA Cup since George Best v Northampton in 1970.
- He is the first player to score five goals in a match twice for Man City.
- Haaland is the first player to score at least five goals in an FA Cup tie (first round onwards) since Duane Darby for Hull City against Whitby in a first-round replay in November 1996 (Darby scored six).
- This is the second time Haaland has scored five goals in a game in his senior career, previously doing so for City against RB Leipzig in the Champions League in March 2023.
- Since his debut for City in July 2022, Haaland has scored 79 goals in 83 games in all comps, 30 more than any other Premier League player in the that time (Salah 49).
‘The connection was perfect’
Four out of Erling Haaland’s five goals against Luton were set up by Kevin De Bruyne, highlighting once more why they form one of the most formidable partnerships in global football.
De Bruyne has now contributed 16 assists to Haaland’s tally of 79 goals for City. He also becomes the first Premier League player to provide four assists for a teammate in a single game across all competitions since September 2020, when Harry Kane set up Son Heung-min for Tottenham against Southampton.
“Erling is on fire and Kevin… the connection was perfect,” Guardiola said after the match. “Kevin needs players like Erling and Erling needs players like Kevin.
“Erling needs a guy with the vision, the quality, the generosity. Kevin is the less selfish player in front of goal. Kevin needs the movement from Erling. We know how aggressive they are.”
It is now nine assists in his past five FA Cup games for De Bruyne, one more than he managed in his first 23 appearances for City in the competition.
“Kevin de Bruyne is massive. He is doing what he is best at. It’s a pleasure playing with him,” Haaland said.
“We know what we both want from each other. It clicks well. He is a smart player and I like to play with him.”
Next up for City is a Premier League derby against Manchester United at the Etihad on Sunday, and with two of their star men hitting their stride it could hardly come at a better time for the hosts.
“De Bruyne and Haaland are telepathic,” Keane said. “They make it look simple but they are world-class players.
“The players and the manager smell it. This is big stuff, the players have done it before.
“Haaland and De Bruyne will be fresh mentally. Liverpool and Arsenal getting a lot of headlines, but I still think Man City will take some stopping.”