Erling Haaland has opened Manchester City’s championship defense in the Premier League with two goals in a victory, much as he did in his first season in English soccer.
In the first game of England’s top flight on Friday, the Norway striker scored two goals with precision in the fourth and 36th minutes to help City cruise to a 3-0 win against Burnley, a promoted club coached by City legend Vincent Kompany. The other goal was scored by Rodri, a defensive midfielder.
Haaland had an outstanding first season at City, scoring 52 goals throughout all league, cup, and tournament play as Pep Guardiola’s squad won the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League triple.
He made a statement at Turf Moor, even if it didn’t quite please Guardiola, and he began last season with a double against West Ham as a hint of things to come. At halftime, the City manager onto the field and confronted Haaland as the two were making their way to the tunnel. He even swatted away a camera that was following the duo.
“This marathon is only at its beginning, but I’m not worried. I’m at ease,” Haaland said. “I must continue to grow, take pleasure in the chaos around me, and perform on the field.”
For City, which is attempting to become the first club in English soccer history to win four successive top-flight league championships, it wasn’t the ideal evening.
First beginning since leaving the Champions League final early due to a hamstring issue, Kevin De Bruyne played for 23 minutes before having to be replaced after pulling up.
It was the same issue, according to Guardiola.
He has healed nicely, but we will now be without him for a while, Guardiola remarked.
Also in the first half, after being fouled, City defender Rico Lewis was lying on the ground close to the corner flag when he was hit by a lighter thrown from the crowd. After spending a season away from the Premier League, Burnley claimed that a supporter had been taken from the stadium by police. This event further tarnished Burnley’s homecoming.
By latching onto Rodri’s nod-down from De Bruyne’s right-wing cross and sidefooting a finish into the bottom corner, Haaland handed City the lead with his first touch of the game.
After Kyle Walker crossed the ball, Julian Alvarez lay it off for his second goal, which was more impressive. Haaland fired a first-time shot on the turn with his back to the goal, and it went off the underside of the crossbar and into the top corner.
Haaland had gone six games without scoring for City, including Sunday’s Community Shield defeat to Arsenal in a penalty shootout.
Haaland stated, “I simply have to keep working, keep unwinding, and not dwell on bad things.
After Burnley failed to clear a free kick into the area in the 75th minute, Rodri, who scored City’s winning goal against Inter Milan in the Champions League final in June, slammed in the third goal from close range.
As a result of Moroccan winger Anass Zaroury’s reckless challenge on Walker in the last seconds of the second half, Burnley finished the match with 10 men. After seeing the pitchside monitor, the referee enhanced the first yellow card.
City will face Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday after giving center-back Josko Gvardiol his professional debut as a substitute in the second half. The Champions League and Europa League champions from last season will square off.
