Bad news for anybody hoping Manchester City won’t win another Premier League title this season: Erling Haaland is still pretty good!
Haaland had a difficult start to his City career last weekend, touching the ball just 16 times against Liverpool in the Community Shield and missing an absolute sitter at the end of the game.
Perhaps it would take the prolific Norwegian a little more time than expected to settle into life in England after a move from Borussia Dortmund in the offseason.
But on Sunday, in his Premier League debut, Haaland looked much more like, well … Haaland.
The 22-year-old scored both goals in Man City’s 2-0 win over West Ham, looking generally terrifying throughout.
Haaland won and converted a penalty for City’s opener and then – in perhaps the most ominous sign for City’s rivals – he showed the beginning of what could be a devastating combination with Kevin De Bruyne, who played Haaland in behind West Ham’s defense for City’s second.
After the game, the notoriously goal-hungry Haaland sounded far from satisfied with his brace.
“It was good. [It was a] good start there is nothing much to say other than that and it was 2-0. Good to get some minutes in the legs early in the season and we have to keep going,” he told Sky Sports.
When asked if he could have had a hat trick, he added: “Yes. I should have been there [to connect with Ilkay Gundogan’s cross]. It’s sh––, but that’s how it is!”
Haaland concluded: “Also now it is almost 30 minutes since I scored the last goal so I have to keep going.”
The Premier League is officially on notice.
Watch Haaland’s debut double for Man City
Erling Haaland scores from the spot for his first #ManCity goal in his Premier League debut!
📺: @peacockTV #MyPLMorning | #WHUMCI pic.twitter.com/MvfuZLmwWC
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 7, 2022
Erling Haaland finds the back of the net once again!
Manchester City take a 2-0 lead over West Ham. #MCFC
📺: @peacockTV #MyPLMorning | #WHUMCI pic.twitter.com/w0BXqaNTyx
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 7, 2022
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