Manchester (Reuters)
Erling Haaland scored three goals in the second half to turn Manchester City from two goals down to win 4-2 at home to Crystal Palace in the English Premier League on Saturday.
And Norwegian Haaland, who averaged about one goal in the match with Borussia Dortmund in the German League before moving to City in June, raised his score to six goals in four matches with coach Pep Guardiola’s team.
City moved to the top of the tournament temporarily with ten points, equal with Brighton & Hove Albion. Palace is 13th with four points from four matches.
Haaland got the cheers of the fans when he was changed six minutes before the end, but City’s position at the end of the first half was bad, as his defeat against Palace could have been repeated 2-0, as happened last season.
Patrick Vieira’s side took the lead after four minutes thanks to a John Stones own goal, before Palace consolidated their advantage with a Joachim Andersen header in the 21st minute.
City struggled in the first half, but their revolt began eight minutes after the break when Bernardo Silva ran from the right into the goal and hit a low ball that deflected just past Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.
City coach Pep Guardiola made two changes, moved Phil Foden to the left-back position, and the English player sent an elegant pass around Haaland with a header into the goal.
The Norwegian striker shook the net after an attack led by the brilliant Silva, and then scored his most beautiful goal when he received a pass from Ilkay Gundogan and kept the ball despite the interference of two defenders and shot it into the net.
“It’s a proud moment for me and my family, and I’m very happy,” Haaland said. It’s an amazing feeling to score a hat-trick, it’s about keeping repeating what we’re doing, with little tweaks like we did and winning. We have to listen to our coach.”
Haaland pointed out that it was important that City not get nervous after the two early Palace goals, and added, “It’s the mentality that we trust each other and know that we will have opportunities. It’s about going, and in the end we scored four goals, which is great.”
“This is a warning to improve, train and develop. You shouldn’t score early when you play at home, it’s about hard work.”
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