PEP’S HAA-TRICK HERO
Norwegian ace plunders his fourth treble of season as City answer Guardiola’s call in style
GOAL machine Erling Haaland produced an emphatic response to Pep Guardiola’s demand for more from his players.
The Manchester City manager laid into his team in the wake of their 4-2 comeback win over Tottenham, claiming they lacked the “passion, hunger and fire” to retain their title.
Haaland responded to his coach’s call in formidable style, scoring a hat-trick to sink Wolves with his latest finishing masterclass. One goal in his previous four games had led some critics to claim City were worse with Haaland – a traditional No.9 – leading their attack. He took just 14 minutes to plunder his stunning treble – his fourth of the season – and dismiss that ludicrous notion, taking his goal tally for the season to 31 from 26 appearances.
Included in that total are 25 in the Premier League, two more than it took to win the Golden Boot last season, with this campaign only at the halfway stage.
The 22-year-old Norway star is already joint 15th on the list of most hat-tricks in the competition, headed by former City striker Sergio Aguero, after playing just half a season in England.
Haaland (left) has every chance of breaking the record for goals in a single Premier League season, held by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole, who both scored 35 in the early 1990s.
Despite that
scathing attack on his players after the Spurs win, Guardiola made just two changes, recalling Kevin De Bruyne and Aymeric Laporte.
Phil Foden was missing from the squad altogether, City stating the England star was not injured, but not fully fit.
The Blues dominated from the start, their superiority confirmed by the fact they had 92 percent possession after 17 minutes.
It proved a frustrating opening for Wolves, who had Max Kilman, Adama Traore and boss Julen Lopetegui booked early on.
Lopetegui was shown a yellow card for sarcastically applauding a decision that went against his side, having already berated the fourth official over perceived injustices.
Wolves keeper Jose Sa twice rescued his side early