Erling Haaland he scored another treble as Manchester City thrashed Burnley 6–0 in the FA Cup, booking a place in the competition’s semi-finals for the fifth successive season.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City managed 13 goals in two games after they demolished RB Leipzig 7-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday, of which Haaland has contributed eight.
Julian Alvarez (2 and cole palmer he also entered the scoring when Vincent Kompany’s return to the Etihad Stadium as Burnley manager ended in humiliating defeat.
quick reaction
1. Haaland once again demonstrates his sixth sense to score with a hat-trick
What Haaland is doing in his first season at Man City has gone beyond ridiculous and has now gone beyond.
His hat-trick against Burnley, all accomplished before he was substituted on 64 minutes, was his sixth of the season. He has reached 42 goals in his first year in England and has found the net nine times in his last three games, including five against RB Leipzig on Tuesday.
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His goalscoring ability was perfectly demonstrated with his third against Burnley. Riad Mahrez slipped the ball to Phil Foden, whose shot skidded over the goal and hit the outside post. The penalty area was packed with Burnley defenders and City attackers but the ball fell to Haaland, who had strayed to the far post.
Haaland does this too often for it to be good luck, so it can only be a kind of sixth sense that lets him know where his next target is coming from.
The way his season is going, he was probably disappointed to only score twice in February, but he’s making up for it in March. He could still play another 18 games before the end of the season, but the numbers he’s putting up are already more than believable.
2. Man City go through a “defining” week with the treble in sight
A week ago, Guardiola said that the games against Crystal Palace (Premier League), RB Leipzig (Champions League) and Burnley (FA Cup) in the space of eight days before the international break could define the season: “We have three games, each one in a different competition, which will mark our season”, Guardiola said then. “…They will define what we want to do or can do for the rest of the season.”
Well, the Man City manager couldn’t have asked for much more. Three wins out of three, 14 goals scored and none conceded have positioned City perfectly to challenge for all three trophies once club games resume after the break.
Guardiola’s side have not always seemed to be at their best this season, but they are still second in the league, in the Champions League quarter-finals and FA Cup semi-finals, leaving a chance to equal the famous Manchester United treble since 1999.
The April party list is likely to decide how close they get. City play Liverpool and leaders Arsenal in the Premier League, face a two-legged Champions League quarterfinal with Bayern Munich and an FA Cup semifinal before early May.
If they can get through the month unscathed, the Man City treble will be well and truly. Get ready for another crucial run of matches, Pep!
3. Burnley receives a hard lesson from the best of the Premier League
Burnley are 13 points clear at the top of the Championship and three wins away from securing a return to the Premier League, but they received a brutal lesson in what life can be like against the best teams in the top flight.
Burnley were the better side for 30 minutes and despite only having 20% possession, they managed to form the only two shots on goal. Nathan Tella had an effort saved by Stephen Ortega and was only denied the chance to come clean by an excellent challenge of ruben days.
But just when the 6,000 traveling fans were beginning to think they might cause a commotion at the Etihad, Haaland’s first two chances presented themselves and Man City were 2-0 up and the game was anything but over.
Of course, Burnley’s goal in the Premier League next season will not be to compete with the likes of Man City and Haaland, just to finish above 18th place and stay in the division.
They have swept the Championship in Kompany’s first campaign in charge, losing just two games, but this was a stark reminder of just how big the Premier League has become and snapped an 18-game unbeaten run for Burnley.
Best and worst performers
Best: Erling Haaland, Manchester City
The Norwegian striker has reached 42 goals this season after another hat trick against Burnley, the second in five days.
Best: Phil Foden, Manchester City
He received harsh treatment from Burnley but still scored Haaland’s second and third goals.
Best: Julian Alvarez, Manchester City
Playing in a near-retired No. 8 role for most of the game, he scored twice and had an assist.
Worst: Johann Gudmundsson, Burnley
The striker made no impact in the first half and was substituted at half-time with City leading 2-0.
Worst: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Burnley
He had a difficult task in goal but should have done better with a couple of Man City goals.
Worst: Stefan Ortega, Manchester City
The goalkeeper’s kicks got City into trouble from the start, especially with passes into midfield to Rico Lewis.
Highlights and Highlights
Erling Haaland is not lost… well, he is not lost so much. He scored twice in the first half, three minutes apart.
In fact, at half time against Burnley, Haaland had scored seven goals in his previous 31 touches of the ball.
HAALAND TWO GOALS IN THREE MINUTES 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OBXIIakizR
— ESPNFC (@ESPNFC) March 18, 2023
Haaland scored another for good measure to win the treble, because of course he did.
With that, Haaland now has six hat-tricks this season. No other player in Europe has more than two.
ERLING HAALAND IS PUTTING UP VIDEO GAME NUMBERS 😳 pic.twitter.com/plNCU191nL
— ESPNFC (@ESPNFC) March 18, 2023
After the game: What the coaches and players had to say
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on Erling Haaland scoring another hat trick: “This guy will have a problem in the future: people expect him to score three or four goals in every game, and this is not going to happen. People have to say a bit, I know he doesn’t care, he is so positive in his life, he’s optimistic, he never complains, he always sees himself. As much as we play well, he’s going to score. I don’t know the target numbers. We play like this, Erling will score goals.”
Burnley manager Vincent Kompany on the result: “The only thing I can say is that (the loss) doesn’t take anything away from what the guys have done so far. It’s been a very good experience. As much as it bothers me, I think there’s a lot of positive to take away.” of the first half. Then we ran into the best team.”
Kompany in Haaland: “My defensemen are fast, all of them. As a seasoned defender, I know exactly where he’s going, but he’s that fast. Good forwards make it look like every rebound lands on their feet, and he’s one of them.”
Kompany on its reception by Man City supporters: “When it actually happens, it still takes you by surprise. I can only be grateful. I was pleased to bring all those Burnley fans and honored to receive such a warm welcome from City fans.”
Key statistics (provided by ESPN Stats & Information research)
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Manchester City reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the fifth successive season, which equals the record for most consecutive FA Cup semi-final appearances.
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Erling Haaland has now scored in every top-flight club competition he has played in, except the Community Shield, in which he only appeared once.
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Starting with his third goal of the day, Haaland had scored eight goals with his previous 40 touches of the ball.
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Haaland has scored six hat-tricks this season in all competitions. No other player in Europe’s top five leagues has more than two hat-tricks this season.
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With the defeat, Burnley snapped an 18-game unbeaten run in all competitions. It was their first loss since December 21 against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.
Until next time
City of Manchester: Premier League action resumes for Man City when they host Liverpool on Saturday 1 April. Then Man City head to Southampton on April 8.
FC Burnley: The Clarets turn their focus back to the EFL Championship when they host Sunderland on Friday 31 March.
