Erling Haaland is a phenomenon. The Manchester City machine made it back-to-back Premier League hat-tricks after scoring three times in the 3-1 win at West Ham this weekend.
It was Haaland’s second successive Premier League hat-trick and eighth since arriving in English football from Borussia Dortmund a little more than two years ago. Incredibly, just three players in the league’s history have ever scored more hat-tricks than Haaland, whose latest match ball moved him level with some of the Premier League’s all-time greats.
Thierry Henry, Harry Kane and Michael Owen each ended illustrious – and longer – careers in the Premier League with eight hat-tricks. Haaland has matched them in just 69 games, averaging a Premier League treble every 8.62 games!
Haaland hailed as ‘one of the best players in the world’
Julen Lopetegui was full of praise for Haaland after watching his West Ham side put to the sword. He called the 24-year-old one of the world’s finest footballers.
“That’s right, they can score, make incredible actions showing one of the best players in the world,” Lopetegui said to Match of the Day.
“It was a pity because the team made a big effort. We have to improve, to know to compete against this kind of team to be close to perfection. Don’t make mistakes, be calm, defend well, believe in you – we have quality players too. We are able to play, second half we did but we don’t take advantage of this good work in the second half.
“He is one of the best players in the world, that’s why he plays for Manchester City. You have to compete with these kind of players. City has the power and the quality to create chances. Today I think the first goal was a pity for us but I’ve said it. I was happy with the performance think we were able to draw but again they damage us.”
