Erling Haaland notched twice on his Premier League debut, the link-up with Kevin De Bruyne was scary.
Erling Haaland made an outstanding start in the Premier League by scoring a brace away at West Ham.
After a challenging performance and a missed opportunity from five yards out against Liverpool in the Community Shield, some had doubts about Manchester City’s new No. 9.
But after a little lull in the opening exchanges at the London Stadium, he quickly demonstrated why City paid £51 million to get him as their primary striker after two seasons without a known front.
The 22-year-old made his debut in the 35th minute with a well placed penalty that he earned after latching onto Ilkay Gundogan’s ball with a burst of speed from behind and drawing the foul from replacement goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
However, it was his second goal that put the Premier League on high alert. Kevin De Bruyne fizzed in a wonderful pass in the 65th minute that eliminated the whole Hammers backline.
Haaland made the most of those incredibly long strides by finishing first and racing unimpeded.
De Bruyne and Haaland’s brilliant teamwork produced a goal that will certainly be the first of many for them this season and in the future.
Wayne Rooney, who scored 208 goals in the Premier League, feels Haaland will make the difference in the title fight and is backing him to win the Golden Boot.
Prior to Haaland’s electrifying debut in the Premier League, he wrote in his column for The Times, “Haaland has already proven his qualities at the highest level in the Champions League and the Bundesliga, and last Saturday against Liverpool he was in the right positions, finding chances, moving cleverly and looking quick, strong, and aggressive in his running.”
Maybe low balls played over the penalty area are the primary way City scores under Pep Guardiola.
“Haaland scored in a similar fashion in his City debut in a friendly match against Bayern Munich, and against Liverpool, the two significant opportunities he missed were in central positions six yards out that he had advanced into during attacks when City switched play outside.
Goal after goal will follow if he keeps doing that since there is no question about his finishing ability.
