Pep Guardiola struggled to find words for Erling Haaland after his eighth Premier League hat-trick led Manchester City to a 3-1 win over West Ham.
Haaland’s treble on Saturday, following his earlier hat-trick against Ipswich Town, kept City perfect this season.
Haaland’s seven goals in the first three matches of the Premier League season are unprecedented. Only Sergio Aguero (12), Alan Shearer (11), and Robbie Fowler (nine) have more hat-tricks in the competition. Haaland is also the first player since Paul Jewell in 1994-95 to score two hat-tricks in a team’s first three league games.
The Norwegian striker has scored more than once in 26% of his Premier League appearances, with eight hat-tricks and ten braces. Guardiola expressed his amazement, saying, “There are no words for him. All we can do is make him play better and better and give him as many balls as possible into the box.”
Guardiola highlighted the collective effort of the team, stating, “This is a team. When you have to run backward, no one asks who has to do it. Everyone has to.” He praised Haaland’s work ethic, adding that seeing him contribute defensively is fantastic.
Haaland attributed his strong start to an extended pre-season due to Norway missing Euro 2024. “I feel good. I feel energised,” he told City’s website. “I had a long vacation and a long pre-season. I’m feeling good.”
City’s Early Season Dominance
Manchester City currently tops the early-season table with nine points from three matches. Last season’s runners-up Arsenal drew 1-1 with Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, giving City an early advantage.
Despite their strong start, Haaland remains cautious about title talk. “Three games, nine points. This is a great start,” he said. “But let’s not think too far ahead because there’s potentially 70 games left this season.”
@OptaJoe tweeted: “1994 – Erling Haaland is the first player to score a hat-trick in two of a team’s first three league games in a season since Paul Jewell for Bradford in 1994-95.”
Haaland’s Personal Reflections
Reflecting on his time at City, Haaland said, “The years here have gone quick and it’s been going like ‘bam bam bam’. Now I have a little bit of rest in my body and my feet.” He feels refreshed and ready for more challenges ahead.
@OptaAnalyst tweeted: “West Ham 1-3 Man City FT Another week, another Erling Haaland hat-trick. Job done for Manchester City, who make it three wins from three at the start of the 2024-25 season.”
The forward emphasised his desire to improve further: “I feel really good now and I’m ready for more. I feel more refreshed and more energised.” He added that having time off allowed him to work on aspects he wanted to improve during training.
