Erling Haaland issued a powerful and ominous warning to Manchester City's rivals after scoring five goals in a 6-2 win over Luton in the FA Cup.
The 23-year-old Norwegian striker made history as the first City player to score five goals more than once in a game as Josep Guardiola's side progressed to the last eight.
Haaland recently returned after two months out with a foot injury and said he is ready to spearhead City's quest for another treble after taking time to regain full fitness.
City, who achieved this feat last season, are now one point behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League and hold a 3-1 lead going into the second leg of the Champions League last 16 against Copenhagen.
“It's coming, we're coming,” Haaland told ITV.
“How are you feeling? I'm getting back to my best. I'm finally feeling good. I feel great. It's an exciting time ahead. I'm ready to attack.”
The former Borussia Dortmund forward tormented the Luton defense at Kenilworth Road, with his combination of physicality, elite movement and ruthless finishing proving too much for Rob Edwards' side to cope with. When it turned out, it certainly seemed close to the top level.
Haaland has broken countless records since arriving at the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2022, becoming the only Premier League player to score more than 30 goals in all competitions since then, despite missing this season. It is recorded.
“This is world class from Haaland, world class,” former Manchester United captain Roy Keane told ITV.
“He's prolific, he scores great runs, he's a natural scorer and he has a great attitude. He's a machine.”
record breaking haaland
- Haaland becomes the first player to score five or more goals for a top club in the FA Cup since George Best vs. Northampton in 1970.
- He became Man City's first player to score five goals twice in one game.
- Haaland is the first player to score at least five goals in an FA Cup tie (after the first round) since Duane Darby (Derby scored six) for Hull City against Whitby in the first round rematch in November 1996. became a player.
- This is the second time in Haaland's senior career that he has scored five goals in a single game, having previously scored for City against RB Leipzig in the Champions League in March 2023.
- Since making his City debut in July 2022, Haaland has scored 79 goals in 83 games in all competitions, more than any other Premier League player at the time with 30 (Salah's 49).
“The connection was perfect”
Four of Haaland's five goals for Luton came with assists from Kevin De Bruyne, demonstrating once again why this duo is one of the most formidable partnerships in world football.
De Bruyne has assisted 16 of Haaland's 79 goals for City, and is now the only team-mate in all competitions since Tottenham's Harry Kane replaced Son Heung-min against Southampton in September 2020. He became the first Premier League player to record four assists in a game.
Guardiola said after the game: “Erling is on fire, Kevin too…the connection was perfect.'' “Kevin needs a player like Erling and Erling needs a player like Kevin.
“Erling needs players with vision, quality and generosity. Kevin is an unselfish player in front of goal. Kevin needs Erling's movement. We need players with vision, quality and generosity. I know.”
De Bruyne has now provided nine assists in his last five FA Cup appearances, one more than he registered in his first 23 appearances for City.
“Kevin De Bruyne is huge. He does what he does best. It's a pleasure to play with him,” Haaland said.
“We know what we want from each other, and it worked out well. He's a smart player and I like playing with him.”
City's next game is a Premier League derby against Manchester United at the Etihad on Sunday, and with two of City's star players on the rise, the timing couldn't have come better for the hosts.
“De Bruyne and Haaland have almost telepathic abilities,” Keane said. “They look simple, but they are world-class players.
“The players and the coach are smelling it. This is a big thing, the players have done this before.”
“Haaland and De Bruyne will be mentally fresh. Liverpool and Arsenal are getting a lot of headlines, but I still think Man City will get some stops.”