Mueez Ajao
– Erling Haaland has been named Premier League Player of the Month for August after an astonishing start to his career in England.
– The Norwegian arrived at Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund for £51million to much fanfare this summer and has duly delivered, scoring nine goals in his opening five games across August before making that 10 in six in early September.
– Having endured a difficult afternoon in City’s Community Shield defeat to Liverpool at the end of July, Haaland took little time to bed into the Premier League, scoring twice on his league debut away at West Ham.
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– After firing a blank at home to Bournemouth, a game in which he enjoyed just eight touches of the ball in a comprehensive 4-0 win, Haaland duly returned to the scoresheet with a goal at St James’ Park.
– Haaland then scored the first of his two Premier League hat-tricks against Crystal Palace.
– With City trailing 2-0 in a fixture they lost last season, Pep Guardiola would have been forgiven for fearing the worst with his team staring down the barrel of another shock loss at the hands of Patrick Vieira and his vibrant Palace side.
– But Haaland hauled City to victory with three crucial goals in 19 second-half minutes.
– Next up were Nottingham Forest, who had struggled defensively up to that point in the campaign. Haaland took advantage of their mismatched defending, scoring another hat-trick, this time inside 24 minutes. City went on to win 6-
– The Norway international added to his tally with a goal against Aston Villa in early September, giving City the lead at Villa Park.
– He has backed up his sensational domestic form in Europe, too. Two goals in City’s opening group stage game against Sevilla were followed by a spectacular winner in Wednesday’s clash with his former club Borussia Dortmund. It was a strike Guardiola likened to his hero Johan Cruyff’s famous goal against Atletico Madrid all those years ago.
– Haaland becomes the 10th player to win the award in his first month in the Premier League, joining esteemed company in Jurgen Klinsmann, Robbie Keane and Diego Costa.
What a start to life in the #PL 👏@ErlingHaaland is August's @EASPORTSFIFA Player of the Month after 9️⃣ goals in his first 5️⃣ matches!#PLAwards | @ManCity pic.twitter.com/s22u5xFoQn
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 16, 2022
– “I am delighted to win this award for the first time – it was an incredible start of the season for the team and I am grateful to everyone who voted,” Haaland said in a statement.
– “We all wanted to hit the ground running this season, so winning four games out of five was a great start for us in what is the most challenging competition in the world. I am happy to have played my part by scoring goals.
– “Hopefully, I can continue to support the team … and carry on our strong start to the season.”
– City are second in the league standings after six games with 14 points, one behind leaders Arsenal. They will travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
