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Haaland is shining brightly. |
Three times in Premier League history, a player has hit 10 goals in just eight games. All three times - Erling Haaland. In 2022, 2024 and 2025, the Norwegian striker made the “extraordinary” look “normal” by scoring goals as easily as breathing.
The only one of all records
Against Everton on the evening of October 18, Haaland was silent throughout the first half, not taking a single shot. But just a few minutes in the second half, he made every defense bow their heads. A powerful header from a Nico O'Reilly cross, then a decisive finish from a Savinho cross - two simple but cool, precise moments, typical of Haaland.
Former Manchester United manager David Moyes could only smile wryly after the game: “I wish he was somewhere else. Every manager thinks that.” A blunt confession: how do you stop a biological machine programmed to score goals?
Looking at Haaland today, Pep Guardiola sees more than just a penalty box killer. He sees a player who is getting better and better.
“Haaland lives for goals, but the important thing is that we found him more than in the first half. When you have someone like that, you have to use him properly,” said Pep, as if praising and reminding the team: learn to play around Haaland – but don’t rely solely on him.
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Haaland is playing so well. |
Because Haaland is on another planet. In mid-October, he had 23 goals in 13 games for club and country Norway, including 8 goals in World Cup qualifiers, bringing his team closer to a historic ticket. For Man City alone, he scored 14 goals in the Premier League and Champions League, only "failing to score" against Tottenham.
The numbers make for comparison. Haaland is closing in on the record of 63 goals a season set by the legendary Dixie Dean nearly 100 years ago. In his first season in England, Haaland scored 52 goals - helping Man City win the treble. The next two seasons, he kept up the same terrifying scoring rhythm: 38 and 34. And now, he's starting his fourth season as if he wants to swallow all statistics.
Former Chelsea player Pat Nevin described Haaland on BBC Radio 5 Live : “He’s like an adult playing with kids. Two touches, two goals. No one doubts that.” Glenn Murray, another former striker, added: “The scary thing is he’s even more complete than before. He’s not just a goalscorer now – he’s a complete player.”
Pep's concern: It can't be just Haaland
But Pep is still worried. Of the 17 goals Man City have scored in the Premier League this season, 13 have been scored by Haaland. The rest - Foden, Nunes, Reijnders, Cherki - have scored only one each.
“We cannot live off Haaland alone,” Pep stressed. “Other attackers have to score. At this level, they have to demand of themselves.”
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With Haaland, Man City does not worry about lacking goals. |
It's not just a warning, but a truth about a great team: even with aliens in the squad, Manchester City still needs people - people who know how to share the load, who know how to fire when the machine is silent.
Man City started the season with two defeats in the first three games, but now things are back on track. Pep ended his press conference with a smile: "This weekend we will at least sleep in the Champions League group - that's good."
A light-hearted statement, but behind it lies the belief that everything is still under control - because Pep is still there, and Haaland is still walking in this world like a giant.
Haaland isn't just scoring goals. He's rewriting the very concept of a striker. And perhaps there will be another chapter in Premier League history - one that bears his name, again.
Source: https://znews.vn/haaland-lai-khien-ngoai-hang-anh-cui-dau-post1590752.html
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