London: Erling Haaland scored his second hat-trick in a row as Manchester City defeated Nottingham Forest 6-0. Leaders Arsenal got off to a perfect start to his season in the Premier League with his 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Wednesday.
City and Arsenal set the pace early, but Liverpool are gaining momentum after a final 2-1 victory over Newcastle.
Haaland has had a blazing start since his late-season move from Borussia Dortmund for £50m ($58m), with the Norwegian striker’s recent consecutive goals setting a Premier League record.
Haaland’s record of nine goals in his first five appearances is a new Premier League-era record, breaking the eight set by City legends Sergio Aguero and Mickey Quinn.
Inspired by Haaland’s first-half treble, Pep Guardiola’s unbeaten side rioted at the Etihad Stadium, scoring 19 goals in just five games.
City took the lead in the 12th minute when Phil Foden’s cross hit Haaland.
Haaland, whose father Alfie played for Forest from 1993 to 1997, shot again from close range in the 23rd minute after Foden’s run was stopped by Neco Williams’ tackle.
Haaland was too much for Forrest, and after eight minutes John Stones nodded over the 6-yard box before closing his treble with a header nearly over the goal line.
Haaland is the seventh player to score a hat-trick in consecutive Premier League appearances.
Even with Kevin De Bruyne starting off the bench, the champions were unstoppable and João Cancelo curled into the top corner from 20 yards in the 50th minute.
Argentinian forward Julian Alvarez celebrated his first Premier League start for City after his move from River Plate with a goal from a Riyad Mahrez pass.
Alvarez scored the second goal in the 87th minute, making it City’s biggest win since beating Leeds 7–0 in December.
perfect arsenal
City are two points behind Arsenal as Mikel Arteta’s side once again showed tenacity and were often sidelined by the Gunners in recent seasons.
Arsenal scored a simple finish in the 30th minute, thanks to a gift from former keeper Emiliano Martinez, who shoved Gabriel Martinelli’s cross straight into Gabriel Jesus.
Second down Villa were level in the 74th minute when Douglas Lewis’ corner went straight past Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale despite the hosts complaining of a foul.
But Arsenal, who beat Fulham on Saturday, responded impressively three minutes later when Martinelli regained the lead after Bukayo Saka’s cross.
Villa boss Steven Gerrard was teased after Sunday’s home defeat to West Ham, but he will come under renewed pressure after suffering his fourth defeat in five games this season.
At Anfield, Liverpool fell behind to secure their second victory of the season as Fabio Carvalho’s 98th-minute goal overwhelmed Newcastle.
Away striker Alexander Isak rocked Liverpool in the 38th minute of his debut after a £60m move from Real Sociedad, scoring a calm goal from a pass from Sean Longstaff.
But they picked up momentum from Saturday’s 9-0 loss to Bournemouth, which equaled the record for the biggest Premier League victory. Liverpool equalized as Roberto Firmino matched his Salah pass to Mohamed in the 61st minute.
Then, the day after my 20th birthday, well past my first five-minute hiatus, I went home and threw a big celebration.
Third-placed Tottenham had to settle for a 1-1 draw with London rivals West Ham.
Antonio Conte’s side opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Hamers defender Thilo Kehrer matched a Harry Kane cross into an own goal.
However, West Ham equalized ten minutes into the second half when Thomas Suchek fired home from an assist from Mikhail Antonio.
Managerless Bournemouth drew 0-0 with Wolves at Dean Court in the first game since Scott Parker was sacked after his humiliation at Liverpool.
The bottom three Wolves have gone winless in their last 12 league games going back to April.
