Having broken another league record with his third hat-trick of the campaign against Manchester United, Erling Haaland’s formidable form has not gone unnoticed – 14 goals and three assists in his first eight Premier League games. It’s important not to be transfixed by the moment, and is why head coach Pep Guardiola has tonight reaffirmed the fact the Norwegian will be rested when the time is right, with a heavy year-long fixture schedule to consider.
Haaland and Foden hat-tricks sink sloppy United
- Haaland’s treble against Manchester United means the 22-year-old is first player in Premier League history to score hat-tricks in three consecutive home games
- “The numbers speak for themselves. He has done this before here, always we try to help him in our environment, we have this incredible sense he always looks starving and is so competitive. The numbers are scary, honestly,” Guardiola says post-match
- Defending league champions return to Champions League group G action, hosting FC Copenhagen in midweek after wins over Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla
- “He will take a break, there will be games he’s not going to play. We are lucky, last season he could not play many in a row – here we have incredible physios and thanks to them… he can,” Haaland’s injury history has previously come into question
Although Norway failed to qualify for this winter World Cup in Qatar, with nations set to fly out early next month before the Nov. 20 curtainraiser, Pep Guardiola has confirmed after their emphatic 6-3 win over United that new star striker Erling Haaland will be rested in due course.
That news should come as a welcoming update to fans – perhaps not of their rivals – given Sergio Aguero’s historically troublesome injuries over multiple seasons hampered their progress, having to juggle chasing silverware across many competitions during a season.
READ: Haaland haunts Hammers as City preview life with Norwegian leading their line
During their win, Kevin de Bruyne made history too — surpassing both Steven Gerrard and David Silva after creating a pair of assists. He’s now joint-fifth with Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp on the all-time list for Premier League assists with 94, having teed up Haaland in the first-half.
The Belgian international has eight in as many domestic fixtures so far this term, more than double the closest competitors – teammate Bernardo Silva and Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka.
Speaking of the Gunners, City are just a point behind Mikel Arteta’s side after their 3-1 north London derby day win over Tottenham on Saturday lunchtime.
Picture source: Getty Images
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