Tag: Erling Haaland

  • Haaland fires hat-trick as Man City defeats Ipswich

    Haaland fires hat-trick as Man City defeats Ipswich

    Erling Haaland struck a hat-trick in Manchester City’s 4-1 comeback win against promoted Ipswich.

    Sammie Szmodics had given the visitors a dream start at the Etihad, but order was quickly restored as City struck three times in four minutes through Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.

    The Norwegian then fired in from outside the box late on to complete his seventh Premier League hat-trick in just 68 games.

    Victory takes City top of the table with a maximum six points from the opening two games of their title defence.

    There was a mood of celebration before kick-off as City marked their fourth consecutive league title and welcomed back former captain Ilkay Gundogan, who took his place on the bench.

    Yet, the champions were stunned with just seven minutes on the clock.

    Ben Johnson’s pass split a static City defence and Szmodics shot had just enough power to beat Ederson to register Ipswich’s first top-flight goal in 22 years.

    Kieran McKenna’s men have been given a baptism of fire by facing Liverpool and City in their opening two matches and the gap in quality between the Championship and Premier League quickly showed.

  • EPL: I really don’t care about him – Haaland claps back at Roy Keane

    EPL: I really don’t care about him – Haaland claps back at Roy Keane

    Manchester City forward, Erling Haaland clapped back at Roy Keane after he scored four goals — including a first-half hat-trick against Wolves on Saturday afternoon.

    It would be recalled that in March when he struggled to make an impact against Premier League title contenders Arsenal, Keane described the Norwegian’s general play as being similar to “that of a League Two player”.

    Speaking to Sky Sports in his post-match assessment of the game, Keane quickly turned his attention to the 23-year-old striker after an unusually quiet performance in front of goal.

    “The levels of his general play are so poor,” he said. “Not just today – I think his laying stuff off, headers, whatever it might be. In front of goal, he’s the best in the world.

    “But for his general player, for such a player, it is so poor. Not just today – he has to improve that. He’s almost like a League Two player, that’s how I look at him. His general play has to improve, and it will do in the next few years.”

    However,  few weeks later, the Norway international scored a double brace against Wolves and he replied with a comment of his own.

    When asked by media outlet Viaplay if the League Two level comment has “fired him up” in recent weeks, he simply replied: “‘I really don’t care about that man, so that’s all right.”

  • EPL: Roy Keane berates Haaland for being rude to Pep Guardiola

    EPL: Roy Keane berates Haaland for being rude to Pep Guardiola

    Roy Keane a former Manchester United captain,  has berated City striker,  Erling Haaland for acting in a rude manner after substituted in the game against Wolves on Saturday.

    Keane accused Haaland of behaving like a “spoilt brat” after Pep Guardiola took him off during their 5-1 win over Wolves on Saturday.

    Haaland scored four times, extending his lead in the race for the Premier League top scorer.

    Guardiola took him off after 82 minutes, with the Norway striker clearly unhappy as he took his place on the bench.

    Keane, speaking on Sky Sports’ Super Sunday, said: “We saw Haaland yesterday being brought off, behaving like a spoilt brat.

    “When they win the game and he scores goals, it’s almost forgotten about.”

  • Harry Kane better than Erling  Haaland – Expert gives reasons

    Harry Kane better than Erling Haaland – Expert gives reasons

    Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley has given his thought on who’s better between Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and City’s Erling Haaland.

    According to Burley, Haaland is not on the same planet as Kane in terms of all-round playing style.

    Haaland has been one of the most prolific strikers in recent years, especially since his move from Borussia Dortmund to Man City in the summer of 2022.

    It would be recalled that Norway international has broken the Premier League record, scoring 36 goals in a season.

    Haaland also contributed 52 goals and nine assists in 53 games across competitions to help Pep Guardiola’s side win the treble.

    Speaking about Haaland and Kane, Burley said (via Goal):

    “I don’t think it is any surprise that some of Haaland’s all-round game has room for improvement. He is about physicality and goals. When it comes to all-around play – I am not suggesting he is a worse goalscorer – he is not on the same planet as a Harry Kane.

    “In terms of his link-up play, Kane can drop off and play passes like a No.10. He can play 50-60-70-yard ping passes, round the corner, you name it.”

  • EPL: Haaland reacts after Man City’s draw against Arsenal

    EPL: Haaland reacts after Man City’s draw against Arsenal

    Manchester City goal poacher, Erling Haaland, has said that his team can still win the English Premier League (EPL) title in spite of their goalless draw with title contenders Arsenal on Sunday.

    The encounter which took place at the Etihad Stadium saw Manchester City and Arsenal handing Liverpool the advantage in the Premier League title race.

    Liverpool are now top of the table, two points clear of Arsenal and three ahead of City, after they came from behind to beat Brighton at Anfield.

    It was a delight for Liverpool seeing their two closest rivals cancelling each other out.

    But Haaland took to his Instagram page after the game against Arsenal to confidently claim that City can come from behind to win the title, just like they did last season.

    “We’ve done it once, we can do it again,” he wrote!

    The Norway international is undoubtedly the best striker in the Premier League and perhaps in the world.

    He has scored 29 goals with six assists in 35 games, which is a phenomenal return.

    However, against William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes on Sunday, Haaland struggled and had zero shots on target.

    It was a poor performance that Roy Keane even compared him to a League Two striker.

    The draw against Arsenal means Manchester City are still third in the Premier League table and are now three points behind league leaders Liverpool.

    Jurgen Klopp’s side have a better goal difference as well, which makes them the favourites to win the Premier League title this season.

  • Luton Vs City: Guardiola explains Erling Haaland’s absence

    Luton Vs City: Guardiola explains Erling Haaland’s absence

    Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has stated reasons why Norwegian striker, Erling Haaland missed the matchday 16 encounter against Luton Town at Kenilworth road.

    The Norwegian  who is on 16 goals was not included in the squad that defeated Premiership new boys Luton Town by 2-1 on Sunday evening.

    Guardiola has now confirmed that the Norwegian is injured.

    When asked the extent of Haaland’s injury, Guardiola told Sky Sports: “Bone stress reaction in his foot. After the last game against Aston VIlla, he felt like this and he cannot play.

    “I don’t know [if it’s bad]. Week by week, day by day, let’s see what happens.”

    Guardiola has started Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish to lead his attack.

  • Haaland hits new record, but Manchester City lose top spot to Arsenal

    Haaland hits new record, but Manchester City lose top spot to Arsenal

    Manchester City striker Erling Haaland claimed another English Premier League (EPL) goal-scoring record on Saturday.

    However, Haaland could not extend his side’s incredible winning sequence or keep them top as the champions were held to a 1-1 home draw by Liverpool.

    The 23-year-old Haaland fired City ahead after 27 minutes following a poor clearance from Liverpool keeper Alisson.

    The goal helped him reach the 50-goal mark in just 48 games –
    17 games fewer than it took previous record holder Andy Cole.

    But Trent Alexander-Arnold drilled in an 80th-minute equaliser with his right foot to deny Manchester City a 24th successive home win in all competitions.

    The result left Manchester City on 29 points from 13 games with Liverpool one point behind and Arsenal later claimed a late 1-0 victory at Brentford thanks to Kai Havertz’s header.

    Arsenal leapfrogged Liverpool and Manchester City into first place with 30 points.

    Chelsea’s mini-resurgence came to a shuddering halt as they were crushed 4-1 at Newcastle United.

    While Brighton and Hove Albion returned to winning ways with a 3-2 victory at Nottingham Forest despite ending the game with 10 men.

    Haaland did what he does best, firing home after Alisson’s poor clearance had found its way to Nathan Ake.

    But there was a lack of killer-instinct about Manchester City in a low-key affair and they were made to pay as Alexander-Arnold rammed in Liverpool’s equaliser.

    This was seconds after Alisson had made a great save to deny Haaland at the other end.

    “Trent was super-influential today. Not only in the goal – around the goal, in all situations he was a really important player and a really good game from him.

    “We don’t check if we are as good as Manchester City. We want to be ready in these games to give them a proper game, and that’s what we did today,” Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said.

    Arsenal were not at their best and keeper Aaron Ramsdale could have made the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

    This was after he got away with a huge mistake having been recalled to the Premier League starting side for the first time since September.

    His loss of possession in his own penalty area should have resulted in a goal by Bryan Mbeumo but his shot was cleared off the line by Declan Rice.

    Arsenal had a goal by Leandro Trossard ruled out for offside and Brentford had their moments before Havertz stooped to head in Bukayo Saka’s cross in the 89th minute.

    “We are so happy, we fully deserved to win. We competed extraordinarily well, we should have scored much earlier but this is a really tough place to come.

    “We showed a lot of resilience and belief,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said.

    Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino vowed to have his team in for Sunday morning training after they went down to a heavy defeat at sixth-placed Newcastle.

    Newcastle striker Alexander Isak netted 13 minutes into his return from injury to fire the hosts ahead but Raheem Sterling’s free kick levelled it up 10 minutes later.

    Jamaal Lascelles restored Newcastle’s lead on the hour and almost immediately a terrible mistake by Thiago Silva allowed fellow Brazilian Joelinton to make it 3-1.

    Any chance Chelsea had of staging a comeback vanished when Reece James collected his second yellow card for an innocuous challenge in the 73rd minute.

    Anthony Gordon completed the rout in the 83rd minute as Chelsea remained in 10th place.

    “We will go to the hotel, then train early tomorrow, no time off. We cannot blame the players, it is the team together.
    “We need to understand the level we need to compete, and learn about this situation,” Pochettino said.

    Joao Pedro came off the bench to score twice as Brighton came from behind to win 3-2 at Forest, despite finishing with 10 men after Lewis Dunk was dismissed for protesting.

    Luton Town earned their first home win since returning to the top flight as they beat Crystal Palace 2-1 to move four points clear of the bottom three – Jacob Brown netting the winner.

    But bottom club Burnley are still waiting for their first home point after conceding twice late on in a 2-1 home defeat by West Ham United, having led 1-0.

    Bournemouth won 3-1 away at Sheffield United.

  • Ballon d’Or: West Ham forward, Michail Antonio tips Haaland to beat Messi

    Ballon d’Or: West Ham forward, Michail Antonio tips Haaland to beat Messi

    Michail Antonio , West Ham United striker,  has said it would be scandalous if Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland is not crowned the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner ahead of Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi.

    According to Antonio, the Norwegian who won the Treble – Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, deserves this year’s Ballon d’Or ahead of Messi.

    “I understand Messi winning the World Cup is massive, but you can’t look past a treble-winning team and what Haaland brought to that, breaking records,” Antonio said on his Footballers’ Footballer podcast (via Manchester Evening News).

    “He deserves the Ballon d’Or. If he doesn’t get it then it’s a scandal.”

    Haaland was spectacular during his debut campaign for Man City.

    The Norwegian scored 52 goals and registered nine assists in 53 games across competitions, winning the Premier League Golden Boot.

    The 23-year-old was also the top scorer in the UEFA Champions League, netting 12 times in 11 matches.

  • Manchester United legend, Savage predicts likely winner of 2023 Ballon d’Or

    Manchester United legend, Savage predicts likely winner of 2023 Ballon d’Or

    Former Manchester United midfielder, Robbie Savage has predicted the likely winner of the 2023 Ballon d’Or award.

    Following their impressive performances for club and country, Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland have emerged as the top contenders for this year’s Ballon d’Or award.

    Messi won the FIFA World Cup with the Argentina national team and also the French Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) before he left the Parisians to join Inter Miami.

    Halaand, on the other hand, won the Treble – Premier League title, Champions League and the FA Cup.

    Both players alongside Kyllian Mbappe have been ncluded in the nominees for this year’s Ballon d’Or that will be announced on October 30.

    However, Savage believes Messi will win the votes and claim the Ballon d’Or ahead of Haaland.

    Savage told Planet Sport: “So Halland or Messi? I think the voting will go to Messi because the World Cup, which eluded him, he’s won it with his teammates.

    “I think Messi will win it but if you are looking at Man City doing the treble, look at the impact Erling Haaland had in his first season in the Premier League. Man City could not win the Champions League, but they did it with Haaland there, so for me, Haaland should win it, but I think Messi will.”

  • Messi, Haaland, Saka, 27 others  nominated for 2023 Ballon d’Or award

    Messi, Haaland, Saka, 27 others nominated for 2023 Ballon d’Or award

    France Football the Ballon d’Or award organizers have released a 30-player shortlist for the men’s category.

    Seven-time winner Lionel Messi is favoured to take home yet another trophy on the heels of completing his career-long quest for World Cup glory with Argentina at Qatar 2022.

    Messi scooped the award for the 7th time in 2021 making him the all time leader, his seven Ballon d’Ors outpacing his closet rival  Cristiano Ronaldo who has  five awards plaques.

    For 2023, Erling Haaland is Messi’s main rival having racked up 52 goals across all competitions in his first season at Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s side stormed to a treble.

    There are a host of top names vying to claim the prize that Karim Benzema took home in 2022, with performances not only at club level, but also at the 2022 World Cup, having been takbaen into account when selecting this year’s list of potential winners.

    Rave of the moment, Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has been nominated for the Ballon d’Orfor the first time.

    Saka has twice been nominated for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best male player under the age of 21, but missed out to Barcelona’s production line of young talent both time; Pedri in 2021 and Gavi in 2022.

    The 2023 Ballon d’Or nominees

    Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City, Croatia), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich, Germany), André Onana (Manchester United, Cameroon), Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad, France), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, Egypt), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal, England), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City, Belgium), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG, ) Bernardo Silva (Manchester City, Portugal), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli, Georgia), Nicolò Barella (Inter Milan, Italy), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa, Argentine), Ruben Dias (Manchester City, Portugal), Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal, Norway), Ilkay Gündoğan (Barcelona, Germany), Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal, Morocco), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City, Argentina), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid, Brazil), Rodri (Manchester City, Spain), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid, France), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan, Argentina), Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona, Poland), Kim Min-Jae (Napoli, South Korea), Luka Modric (Real Madrid, Croatia), Kylian Mbappé (PSG, France), Victor Osimhen (Napoli, Nigeria), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)