Haaland warning after 5-goal haul: ‘We’re ready to attack’،
Erling Haaland sent a warning to rivals Manchester City after scoring five goals in their 6-2 FA Cup defeat to Luton Town on Tuesday, saying he is back to his best and “we are ready to attack “.
Haaland had scored just three goals in seven matches since returning from a foot injury that ruled him out for more than a month between December and January.
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But the Norwegian striker returned to his prolific peak at Kenilworth Road with a first-half hat-trick and two more after the break as City advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
In doing so, Haaland became the first top player to score five goals in an FA Cup match since George Best scored six for Manchester United against Northampton Town in 1970.
“I’m getting back to my best,” he told ITV afterwards. “Finally, I feel good. It's an incredible feeling. It's happening, we're coming. Exciting times lie ahead. We're ready to attack.”
It was the second time Haaland had scored five goals in a match in just a season and a half with City, having done the same in the 7-0 rout of RB Leipzig in the Champions League last year. The 23-year-old now has 79 goals in 83 appearances for Manchester City in all competitions.
Haaland's first four goals against Luton came thanks to assists from Kevin De Bruyne, who also missed much of the season due to injury.
“It’s a pleasure to play with him,” Haaland added. “I think we know what we expect from each other, we look at each other and it’s going well.”
Haaland's performance and link-up play with De Bruyne will also fuel the belief that City can emulate last season's treble of trophies by winning the Premier League title, FA Cup and Champions League.
“Erling was on fire and Kevin was perfect,” Man City manager Pep Guardiola said. “The connection they have. Erling needs a player like Kevin and Kevin needs a player like Erling.”
Mateo Kovacic also got on the scoresheet for defending champion City, unbeaten in 18 games in all competitions.
After – by their standards – a slow start to the season, Guardiola's side are now just one point behind Premier League leaders Liverpool and have one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals after a 3-1 victory at FC Copenhagen in the first leg. their round of 16.
The second leg will take place on March 6, after City face local rivals Manchester United on Sunday.
Information from The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
