Haaland fires off hat-trick as Manchester City crush Wolves

“The way we played today was pretty much the same as in the first half when we lost 2-0 to Spurs (on Thursday). Our game, soccer, was really good. Today we improved.”

Haaland had indeed endured a mini-goal drought from three appearances at City in all competitions before last week’s strike against Tottenham Hotspur, but he certainly brought his shooting shoes for the Fighting Wolves visit.

The home side had many chances to break through the block before Haaland struck with clinical precision five minutes before the break and expertly saved his second from the point.

That penalty saw him score another 30 goals in all competitions in half a season before adding another goal after a horrible mistake by Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa.

His remarkable 25 league goals from 19 games would have been enough to win the Premier League Golden Boot in each of the previous four seasons. Dixie Dean’s record of 60 goals scored in a single league season, set in 1928, remains in sight.

Haaland has scored more than twice as many league goals as Wolves this season. They are only above the relegation zone because of the better goal difference.

“We made mistakes, but the first half worried me more than the second,” said coach Julen Lopetegui.

“It’s always possible to improve the squad while the (transfer) window is open, but it’s important to improve the players who are already here.”

Standoff at Elland Road

Leeds United and Brentford drew 0-0 at Elland Road, leaving the hosts a point above the relegation zone after a frustrating afternoon.

The disappointing result extends Leeds’ winless streak to six league games and leaves them 15th in the standings, just a point above third-bottom Bournemouth.

“Points are crucial for us at the moment,” said Leeds striker Jack Harrison.

“We would like to get as many as possible and we would have loved to win, but we take the point, move on and prepare for the next game.”

Reuters