Erling Haaland scored just moments after letting his hair down against Arsenal – literally.
The Manchester City star got on the scoresheet to add the icing to the cake as they smashed Arsenal 4-1 at the Etihad on Wednesday night.
The goal also saw Haaland break Liverpool star Mohamed Salah’s record for most goals in a 38-game Premier League season, netting his 33rd of the campaign, one behind Alan Shearer and Andy Cole’s record of 34.
And he did so in flowing fashion, casually letting his impressive locks down after taking out his hairband.
As Arsenal players toiled over a throw-in, Haaland tapped a pretend watch to the referee as if to say they were time-wasting – despite being 3-1 down at the time.
A mess from the throw saw City pounce on the ball before feeding Haaland, who motored into the box after Phil Foden put him on goal.
And there was no way the Norwegian was missing, not after assisting Kevin de Bruyne twice earlier in the contest in a switcheroo of roles.
After tucking the ball past Aaron Ramsdale with ease, he raced into the corner to celebrate with the fans while his hair glided in the Manchester air.
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That was also his 57th goal contribution this season – 49 goals and eight assists – in all competitions, 15 more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues.
It also means that Haaland has made a goal contribution every 58 minutes on the pitch on average this campaign, a truly awe-inspiring debut campaign at the Etihad.
But it was his all-round play which impressed ex-City boss Stuart Pearce.
He told talkSPORT: “Haaland’s hold-up play was as good as I’ve ever seen it. He fought the centre-halves. He played his teammates in. He did the dirty work off the ball.”
It was a crushing victory for City, who will feel they can go on and win the Premier League from here.
Arsenal needed a victory, in truth, to keep their rivals at bay but now sit just two points ahead having played two games more in a brutal few weeks for Mikel Arteta.
They have now failed to win in four matches while City have been relentless, last dropping points on February 18.
And they looked revved up from the first minute, dashing into the lead just moments into the match against Arsenal.
Haaland controlled the ball expertly from a long pass before playing in De Bruyne, who lashed one past Ramsdale.
It set the tempo for the rest of the contest as the Gunners chased shadows before VAR ruled John Stones’ header was onside just before half-time.
De Bruyne grabbed his second, again from a Haaland pass, that left Pep Guardiola holding his head in his hands in amazement.
Rob Holding did grab one back from some complacent defending from a corner before Haaland restored City’s three-goal lead late into the night.
source: talksport.com
