Haaland At The Double On Premier League Debut

All eyes were on Erling Haaland at the London Stadium as the Norwegian made his Premier League debut for Manchester City. The prolific goalscorer has been the subject of conversations around the world, with many debating whether he can replicate his Bundesliga form in England’s top flight. And the striker duly responded by bagging a brace.

Haaland, 21, was expected to lead the line against West Ham, and manager Pep Guardiola duly obliged, with Phil Foden and Jack Grealish playing either side of the giant hitman. And, it’s fair to say that for most of the first half, Haaland was becoming increasingly frustrated with his lack of chances. He was looking to make his trademark runs in behind but wasn’t getting the service.

Just before the half-hour mark, West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianksi was forced off with an injury, being replaced by Alphonse Areola. And five minutes later, Ilkay Gundogan played a short through ball into Haaland’s path, with the striker’s burst of acceleration leaving stand in West Ham centre-half Ben Johnson with no chance. As Areola came out to smother, he felled the Norwegian, handing Haaland with an opportunity to get off the mark from the spot. He stepped up and calmly executed a left-foot finish.

A lot has been said about how Kevin De Bruyne will be the man to unleash Haaland’s goalscoring potential because of his passing range. And it was the Belgian’s through ball from the halfway line that was delivered between Kurt Zouma and Aaron Cresswell that got Haaland on the scoresheet for the second time at the London Stadium. The pass was defence-splittingly exquisite, and Haaland didn’t need to take a touch before arcing his body superbly to guide the ball around a helpless Areola.

So, it didn’t take long at all for Haaland to get off the mark and to show the Premier League what he’s all about. It’s fair to say that in the opening exchanges, City’s new signing was looking to make runs off the shoulder and was wanting his teammates to supply him with the balls he was looking for, but they weren’t as forthcoming as he’d have liked. However, he stuck to task, and when the chance came to explode into life, he took it with aplomb and showed what damage he can do in terms of racing away from defenders.

The finish for his second goal was typical of Haaland and of a player full of confidence. Most strikers in the world, even some of the best, will have wanted to take a touch before executing the finish. But Haaland, who read the through ball from De Bruyne superbly, allowed the ball to do the work and opened his body enough to allow for a guided finish into the bottom corner. It’s something only the best can pull off, and City winning 2-0 and Haaland scoring both shows Guardiola and the Premier League have one of the best.