Erling Haaland has beaten another Premier League record after netting his fourth hat-trick of the season against Wolves.
The Manchester City star has been rampant since making the move in the summer and has hit another treble against the strugglers at the Etihad. His fourth hat-trick has come in just nineteen games – smashing the record previously held by Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Manchester United’s former marksman scored his first four hat-tricks in 65 games, which was the shortest amount of games to do so. It underlines how impressive the Norwegian star has been, with his previous trebles coming against Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and the Red Devils.
Haaland’s three goals came in a 14-minute spell either side of half-time as the champions closed the gap on Arsenal. The 22-year-old is now firmly the favourite to claim the Golden Boot having also netted in midweek in the comeback win over Tottenham. His 24 goals this term would’ve been enough to claim the Golden Boot in four previous seasons.
The City star has now scored more hat-tricks in England than one Cristiano Ronaldo, who spent just over seven seasons with United across two different spells. The Portuguese star netted a treble on three occasions, two of which came last season in a struggling outfit.
Before Haaland’s strike on Thursday night the forward had gone three games without a goal, but Pep Guardiola was keen to defend his top scorer, who he claimed was at the mercy of the service given to him.
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“We have our game, we have our principles but the way we played in the last two games didn’t help Erling to score,” Guardiola said. “In the build-up you can be wider, but in the final third you have to have players in the middle. If Erling is not there we are not going to score goals.
“In the past we have always had incredible movements in the final third, in the small spaces. Now, in the last two games, we haven’t had it. I would say it was my fault. I didn’t make them understand the way we have to attack.
“We need runners, not just Erling. If we had just Erling he would be controlled by two or three central defenders. We need more players in those positions, definitely. We have done it. We have to do it more often.”
City’s recent success has come without a natural No 9. Guardiola has opted to play with six midfielders or wingers – a system that has yielded back-to-back league titles. They’ve also claimed other silverware in that time.
Sergio Aguero was the last natural No. 9 to feature in the line-up, but he was increasingly marginalised as he struggled with injuries. Haaland’s introduction this season has therefore led to a tweaking in Guardiola’s City system.
