Manchester City supervisor Pep Guardiola hailed disciple Erling Haaland to be on the identical stage with superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo by way of scoring after the Norwegian netted twice on return from damage in a 4-1 win at Southampton on Saturday.
Victory took City to inside 5 factors of Arsenal on the prime of the Premier League.
Haaland has now scored 44 instances in his debut season with the English champions, together with 30 in 27 Premier League appearances.
His second objective was particular as the enormous striker acrobatically volleyed residence Jack Grealish’s cross with an overhead kick.
“The second goal was amazing. It is not easy to pick the ball up in the sky and put it on the grass,” mentioned Guardiola, who coached Messi throughout 4 years as Barcelona coach.
“We want him. The first half was not our greatest stage however he modified the sport.
“As a top scorer, we lived two incredible decades with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi but he is on that level. He scores a lot of goals. I am very happy with 65 minutes after injury and he helped us again.”
Guardiola was true to his phrase that he was not eager about Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal, first leg in opposition to Bayern Munich as Haaland’s return from a groin damage was the one change from the aspect that thrashed Liverpool 4-1 final weekend.
But the guests didn’t hit the identical heights for the primary 45 minutes and will have been punished in opposition to a aspect with extra firepower than the Saints.
Southampton stay rooted to the foot of the desk and 4 factors adrift of security.
Haaland opened the floodgates simply earlier than halftime when he stooped to fulfill Kevin De Bruyne’s cross.
City went by means of the gears after the break as an eighth consecutive win in all competitions saved Guardiola’s males within the hunt for a treble of trophies.
Grealish is having fun with his finest type since a 100 million-pound ($124 million) transfer from Aston Villa in 2021 made him the Premier League’s costliest ever participant on the time.
He fired in on the second try after his first effort was saved by Gavin Bazunu.
Grealish turned creator for the third as his cross was completed in spectacular vogue by Haaland.
“You will never see me do that,” mentioned De Bruyne of Haaland’s second objective. “You would get me to Southampton hospital if I do that!”
That was the striker’s remaining contact as he then made manner for Julian Alvarez for the ultimate 20 minutes with one eye on Bayern’s go to in midweek.
Sekou Mara briefly gave the house assist one thing to cheer when he steered residence Moussa Djenepo’s cross.
But City restored their three-goal cushion simply three minutes later when De Bruyne was bundled over contained in the field.
The Belgian stood apart to permit Alvarez to fireside residence his 14th objective of the season regardless of largely enjoying second fiddle to Haaland.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
