Haaland pinpoints collective Man City quality after four-goal blitz of Wolves

Erling Haaland blasted four goals past Wolves in a one-man Premier League show but the Manchester City forward says it would not be possible without manager Pep Guardiola or his team-mates.

The City talisman took his top-flight tally to 25 for this season, moving five clear of his nearest challenger in the Premier League Golden Boot race, after Saturday’s 5-1 thrashing of Wolves.

Haaland was twice on target from the penalty spot as part of his first-half hat-trick, adding another after the interval with an arrowed strike into the top-left corner.

It was the first time the Norway star has managed four goals in one Premier League game, with his quartet of strikes coming in 54 minutes. Only Gabriel Jesus has scored as many earlier in one match, doing so in 53 minutes against Watford in April 2022.

Haaland also became the third player to score multiple first-half hat-tricks in Premier League history (also against Nottingham Forest last season), along with Andrew Cole and Michael Owen (two each).

Yet the superstar attacker says his exploits would not be possible without his City colleagues or boss Guardiola.

“I’ve got a not-too-bad manager who pushes me and look at the players around me,” Haaland told Sky Sports when asked about his motivations.

“Without them, it would not be possible. Look ahead, look to next one – four finals left for the season. We’re going to go for it and focus on Fulham.”

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It was Haaland’s sixth Premier League hat-trick for City, with only seven players netting more in the competition’s history. All six of those trebles have been at the Etihad, only three have more at a single venue.

Haaland’s second strike came from a towering header following Rodri’s right-wing centre, which he suggested would delight his father Alfie.

“That’s a beautiful goal,” the Norwegian said of his headed finish. “My father is going to be happy with that one.

“A nice celebration, I enjoyed that one. I’m scoring more headers, I try to develop and keep going.”

City are within a point of Premier League leaders Arsenal and Guardiola’s side still have a game in hand against Tottenham on May 14.

Despite the thrashing of Wolves, Haaland insists Guardiola remains intent on winning the remaining games, rather than calculating the probabilities needed on goal difference.

“First of all it’s about winning the games but, of course, you want to have the best possible goal difference,” he added. “Let’s not think about that. Think about Fulham.”