Erling Haaland has started his second season in English soccer just like his first with two goals in a win to open Manchester City’s title defence in the Premier League.
The Norway striker dispatched clinical finishes in the fourth and 36th minutes on Friday as City eased to a 3-0 victory at newly promoted Burnley, who are managed by one-time Sky Blues skipper Vincent Kompany.
Defensive midfielder Rodri scored the other goal.
Haaland enjoyed a spectacular first year at City, scoring 52 goals in all competitions including 36 in the league, as Pep Guardiola’s team won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble.
He opened last season with a double at West Ham in a signal of what was to come and he made another statement at Turf Moor, even if it didn’t completely satisfy Guardiola.
Erling Haaland lets fly against Burnley. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
The City manager came onto the field at half-time and remonstrated with Haaland as they walked towards the tunnel, even flicking away a camera that was following the pair.
It wasn’t the perfect evening for City, bidding to become the first team in English soccer history to win four straight top-flight league titles.
Kevin De Bruyne, starting for the first time since coming off early in the Champions League final with a hamstring problem, lasted 23 minutes before needing to be substituted after pulling up.
Also during the first half, City defender Rico Lewis was struck by a lighter thrown from the crowd as he lay on the ground near the corner flag after being fouled. Burnley said the fan had been removed from the stadium by police in an incident that further ruined their return to the Premier League after one season away.
Haaland gave City the lead when he latched onto Rodri’s nod-down from De Bruyne’s right-wing cross and sidefooted a finish into the bottom corner.
His second goal was more spectacular and came after Julian Alvarez laid off a cross from Kyle Walker. With his back to goal, Haaland sent a first-time shot on the turn off the underside of the crossbar and into the top corner.
Haaland was without a goal in his last six matches for City, including the loss to Arsenal in a penalty shootout in the Community Shield on Sunday.
Rodri, who scored City’s winner in the Champions League final against Inter Milan in June, smashed home the third goal from close range in the 75th minute after Burnley failed to clear a free kick into the area.
Burnley ended the game with 10 men when Morocco winger Anass Zaroury was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Walker deep into second-half stoppage time. The referee initially gave a yellow card but upgraded it after viewing the pitchside monitor.
Guardiola confirmed De Bruyne had picked up another injury.
“Unfortunately he’s injured again, that is a problem, in the same position I think he said to me,” Guardiola told Sky Sports, adding he was nevertheless pleased to see his side get off to a winning start.
“Really good, the first games are so important to see our vibes and feelings.”
Haaland praised his side’s impressive start to the season.
“We’re still kind of in the start phase of this marathon, but it’s about not stressing, relax and focus on ourselves.”