Erling Haaland continued his phenomenal form, scoring his second consecutive hat-trick to lead Manchester City to a commanding 3-1 victory over West Ham United at the London Olympic Stadium on Saturday. This win propels City to the top of the Premier League table with a perfect 9 points from three games, two points clear of Arsenal who drew 1-1 with Brighton.Haaland’s clinical finishing was on full display as he opened the scoring in the 10th minute, added another in the 30th minute, and sealed his hat-trick in the 83rd minute. This remarkable performance brings Haaland’s tally to an impressive 70 goals in just 69 Premier League appearances for Manchester City, setting a new record for the most goals scored in the first three games of a season with 7 goals.City manager Pep Guardiola lauded Haaland’s performance, describing it as ‘magnificent’ and praising the striker’s mentality and impact on the team. Haaland himself expressed satisfaction with his form, stating, ‘I feel good, I feel energised. I had a long vacation and pre-season. I feel good. The years I’ve been here have been really fast. Now I’ve got some rest in my body and my feet. Now I’m ready for more.’ Meanwhile, Arsenal’s title challenge faced an early setback as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton at home. The match was marred by controversy when Declan Rice received a red card early in the second half, leading to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressing frustration with the inconsistency of refereeing decisions.As the Premier League heads into the international break, Manchester City’s perfect start has set the tone for what promises to be an exciting title race. With Haaland in such prolific form and the team showing depth and resilience, City have laid down a marker for their title defense.
Key points
- Erling Haaland scored his second consecutive hat-trick, leading Manchester City to a 3-1 victory over West Ham.
- Haaland has set a new Premier League record with 7 goals in the first 3 games of the season.
- Manchester City leads the Premier League with a perfect start, while Arsenal dropped points in a controversial draw with Brighton.
- Pep Guardiola praised Haaland’s performance and impact on the team.
Contradictions👾There is a minor discrepancy in the reporting of Haaland’s goal tally, with some sources stating 97 goals in 102 appearances, while others report 70 goals in 69 Premier League appearances.
This may be due to including goals from other competitions in the higher figure.
