Erling Haaland appears resolute in his quest to make the most of his time on the field.
The Norwegian striker showcased his prowess by netting five goals to propel Manchester City into the quarterfinals of the FA Cup with a commanding 6-2 victory against Luton on Tuesday.
This remarkable feat marked his eighth hat trick in just a season-and-a-half with City, underscoring his undeniable impact. It was also the second occasion he achieved the remarkable feat of scoring five goals in a single game for the club.
More than just a display of his scoring ability, this performance served as tangible proof that Haaland has fully recovered from a recent foot injury that sidelined him for over a month between December and January.
Expressing his satisfaction with his improving fitness, Haaland remarked, “My fitness is getting back to its best finally. I feel good. It’s an amazing feeling.”
Despite scoring only three goals in seven appearances following his return on Jan. 31, Haaland’s return to top form was evident at Kenilworth Road, where he notched a first-half hat trick followed by two more goals after the break.
Four of these goals stemmed from assists by Kevin De Bruyne, who himself has endured significant periods of absence due to injury.
Acknowledging his fruitful partnership with De Bruyne, Haaland commented, “It’s a pleasure playing with him. I think we know what we both want from each other, we look at each other and it clicks well.”
City’s Mateo Kovacic added a sixth goal, while Luton’s Jordan Clark managed to strike twice.
Haaland’s bid for a double hat trick was curtailed when he was substituted for Julian Alvarez in the 77th minute. Remarkably, this was the second time City manager Pep Guardiola withdrew Haaland after he scored five goals, reminiscent of a similar scenario during the 7-0 victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League last year.
With 27 goals across all competitions this season, adding to his impressive tally of 52 goals in his debut year at the club, Haaland’s stellar performance and seamless partnership with De Bruyne are instilling confidence that City could replicate last season’s treble of trophies, including the Premier League title, FA Cup, and Champions League.
Looking ahead, Haaland expressed optimism, saying, “We’re coming. Exciting times (are) ahead.”
Completing his hat trick before halftime, Haaland opened the scoring in the third minute and added a second in the 18th. Despite Luton’s efforts, with Clark reducing the deficit just before halftime and adding another shortly after the break, Haaland swiftly extended City’s lead with goals in the 55th and 58th minutes.
Kovacic put the finishing touch with a long-range effort in the 72nd minute, sealing City’s emphatic victory.
