Erling Haaland continued his incredible start to the season with a stunning hat-trick as Manchester City defeated West Ham United to maintain their perfect record in the Premier League.
With his three goals, Haaland has now scored seven times in the league this term, setting himself on a strong path toward a third Golden Boot in just two years since arriving in England.
Guardiola’s High Praise for Haaland
Pep Guardiola couldn’t hide his admiration for the Norwegian forward after the match, labeling Haaland as “unstoppable.”
The City boss was full of praise for his striker’s improvement this season, especially considering Haaland’s hard work in training and his ability to influence the game in more than just scoring.
“Erling is unstoppable. There is not a central defender, not even with a gun, who can stop him. Everyone knows how clinical he is in front of goal,” Guardiola said after the match.
“But this season, he’s playing even better. The small details, staying after training, focusing more on his overall game – that’s what makes him special this year.”
Pep Guardiola on Erling Haaland:
— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) August 31, 2024
"He is unstoppable. There's no central defender… not even with a gun. It's impossible. So fast, so powerful." 🤖@City_Xtra
🔗 https://t.co/e01WYe0L8q pic.twitter.com/K8d6LvqZty
A New Energy for Haaland
Haaland, who seemed to be operating at full power, revealed that a well-earned summer break has played a major role in his brilliant form.
Last season, the striker was dealing with minor injuries and fatigue, but this year he feels rejuvenated.
“Only footballers know how important it is to have a break. You need to calm your body and mind because it’s a long season,” Haaland explained.
“I feel fresh, and that’s the most important thing. When you feel good, you can work on improving outside of training and it all adds up.”
Keeping Feet on the Ground
Despite his excellent form, Haaland remains focused on the long season ahead. With potentially up to 70 matches to be played across all competitions, the Norwegian knows it’s important not to get carried away by his early success.
“It’s been a great start, but let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves,” Haaland warned. “There’s still a long way to go, and we have to keep working hard.”
Man City Marching On
Thanks to Haaland’s brilliance, Manchester City have made the perfect start to their Premier League campaign, and Guardiola’s side looks unstoppable as they chase another title.
If Haaland continues playing at this level, he could be set for another historic season, both for himself and his team.
