If a 20-goal season is a standard for a successful striker, then Erling Haaland is the Jonah Lomu of football after scoring 20 goals in 12 competitive games.
The 22-year-old is unstoppable, delivering a Premier League goal every 50 minutes, and it is intriguing to see where the Norwegian may take his skill in the upcoming seasons.
Up until the 64th minute, 3-0 down and being steamrolled by City, Southampton appeared destined to join Bournemouth and Serbia as the only clubs to deny the prolific scorer. But, no. Kevin De Bruyne, who was outstanding throughout, slanted a pass to Joo Cancelo on the left flank, and Haaland smashed in Cancelo’s cross.
The victory propels City to the top of the table with 23 points after nine matches, with Arsenal, who face Liverpool on Sunday, in second place with 21 points. “Being at the top of the league heading into the World Cup is crucial,” remarked Pep Guardiola. We shall observe the outcome between Arsenal and Liverpool, as the Premier League is always filled with exciting contests.
Kyle Walker’s groyne injury necessitated a Guardiola reshuffle — he favors them – with Manuel Akanji operating at right-back despite drawing a manager’s reprimand for an off-target pass.
Ralph Hasenhüttl, who appears perpetually at risk of being sacked, could have been thrilled with the early Saints pressure, but it quickly subsided. Foden served the ball to Haaland from his usual position on the left flank. Haaland’s shot was immediate and with his right foot, but the ball hit the right post. Next, Cancelo won a corner kick that De Bruyne crossed from the left, but Mahrez’s shot sailed high.
Now, Cancelo demonstrated how to do so with a magnificent solo blow. Kyle Walker-Peters smashed Foden, but Andy Madley deftly allowed the game to continue. The left-back for City skated up his wing, cut inside, duped James Ward-Prowse with a double-dummy, and then hammered the ball across Bazunu and into the far corner.
“We’ve got Guardiola,” sang delighted City supporters who are accustomed to their team’s dominance. Next, Saints were tormented as the ball was stabbed about them before those in blue spotted an opening, and Haaland’s left foot cannon fired a shot at Romain Perraud from close range.
However, City’s lead was extended when Mahrez supplied De Bruyne and he passed left to Foden: as Bazunu ran out, the striker dinked the ball over the goalkeeper, after his hat-trick against Manchester United on Sunday.
The half finished with Akanji’s errant shot soaring beyond Bazunu’s crossbar, but City had been coasting in second gear and continued to do so after the break, leaving Southampton as mere extras.
A De Bruyne rush – he attempted to find Haaland at the end – and one from Bernardo Silva preceded City’s third goal: Cancelo rolled to Rodri, and from his lob to the right, Mahrez scored with a ground-level shot.
It marked the eighth consecutive Premier League home game in which City scored at least three goals. It was followed by a Haaland miss and the sight of the coach displeased with a defensive error.
Foden, who was going to be replaced by Jack Grealish, helped generate another opportunity for the Norwegian by escaping near the left corner flag and passing to De Bryune with his quick feet. When the latter crossed, Haaland did not kick anything.
Again, the 22-year-old was set up by the Belgian, whose vision this time guided the ball down the inside left channel. Haaland surged forward and attempted to circumvent Bazunu, but the goalkeeper grabbed the ball.
Haaland did score, much to the delight of the player, his teammates, and the fans; anticipate seeing countless replicas of the feat till May.
Mahrez stated, “Haaland is a member of our team and our starting forward. As with any other striker, locating him would be ideal because he is on fire. If not, there are many [other] players, and each individual can make a difference.
“It was a challenging game, but we made it easier on ourselves by scoring early and establishing control. We had numerous opportunities to score additional goals, but we did not.
Hasenhüttl was sincere in his evaluation. “Our property was insufficient. To obtain something, you must play the ideal game. The chasm is too wide. Teams with greater talent than us concede at least six goals when they visit,” he remarked.
