Haaland goals flow again for Premier League top scorer

Erling Haaland scored twice inside 21 minutes at West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday as the Manchester City striker ensured he has averaged a goal a game in his 69 matches for the club in the top flight.

Two-time Premier League top scorer Haaland is already on course to finish as the leading marksman in the division for a third successive campaign, having latched on to Bernardo Silva’s pass and stroked a composed finish beyond Alphonso Areola after 10 minutes at the London Stadium.

West Ham levelled through Ruben Dias’ own-goal nine minutes later but Haaland restored City’s advantage with an emphatic 30th-minute strike from inside the box.

Haaland netted the opening goal in City’s 2-0 win at Chelsea in their opening match and scored a hat-trick at home to Ipswich Town on August 24.

69 goals in 69 games ⚽

Erling Haaland now averages a goal a game in the Premier League 🦾 pic.twitter.com/jF9EP7Xzhp

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2024

Man City: Haaland top scorer

“The guy’s in pretty good form this season,” former City goalkeeper David James – a one-time makeshift striker for the club – wryly observed on their Matchday Live show.

“Of all the players in the Premier League this season, when he’s getting the ball in front of goal, it’s going to go in.”

Former West Ham manager Sam Allardyce analysed Haaland’s second goal. “The thing about him is, he flashes his left foot with little backlift,” said the Hammers’ boss between 2011 and 2015.

“It’s gone off the foot and past the ‘keeper before the ‘keeper can even move. It’s in the ‘keeper’s eyeline – it’s in his area – but he can’t even move his hands quickly enough to try to save it. That’s how quickly he hits the ball. He can score from all angles. He’s had a very good first half.”

😁 @PepTeam 😁

⚒️ 1-2 🩵 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/w1xR4DEdJH

— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 31, 2024

City vs West Ham

City were poised to move top of the table by becoming the first Premier League team this season to win their first three games.

Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion had perfect records from two games before sharing a 1-1 draw at Emirates Stadium earlier on Saturday.

Liverpool have also taken six points from six with wins over Ipswich and Brentford and visit Manchester United on Sunday (4pm BST).

West Ham lost 2-1 at home to Aston Villa on the opening weekend, responding in impressive style with a subsequent 2-0 win at Crystal Palace.