Five goals in one game every season. Haaland has done magic again before the derby

A great battle was expected on the hot ground of Kenilworth Road, with the final being a concert by the Erling Haaland – Kevin de Bruyne pairing. The former scored five goals, the latter assisted four times and the Citizens won 6: 2. This weekend, the Manchester derby in the Premier League is on the agenda.

Although the Citizens are not in ideal current form, they came into the match like a hurricane and led from the fourth minute. It was probably the turning point of the match that Erling Haaland broke through and calmed things down from the very first shot of the game. After that it was an offensive whirlwind.

The second top five in two seasons by Haaland

Haaland showed how much a quick goal can do to the psyche of a forward. The Norwegian hitman is the type of player who scores goals pretty much all the time, even when he’s not at 100 percent. He looked in his worst form since his transfer to Manchester City at the start of 2024.

But after the opening goal, he completed a hat-trick before half-time, taking advantage of two shots on goal. He fired Tim Krul through twice more after the change of sides and was able to make a comfortable substitution. He also scored five times for the Citizens last season, in the Champions League against Leipzig.

Haaland thus announced his return at the best possible moment. A league game with Liverpool in ten days, a battle with Arsenal at the end of March and the Champions League play-offs kick off. Slowly, the final part of the season, in which Manchester City have long been the strongest, is upon us.

This weekend’s favourite opponent

Fans on social media are mainly entertained by the fact that already this weekend the Citizens will welcome Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium. The Red Devils were burnt out at home in the last round, losing 1:2 to Fulham.

To make matters worse, Manchester United is Haaland’s favourite opponent. He has already scored five goals against them in the league, and now he will be in the firing line. The Red Devils don’t have the cup until Thursday, one less day of rest.

The Citizens have beaten their city rival in the last two confrontations and have scored five goals in the process. The opponents are likely to be without injured goalscorer Rasmus Hojlund, with midfielder Bruno Fernandes out of form and Rodri and Kevin de Bruyne on the pitch against him.

Source: Twitter