Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-28 15:42:49
Erling Haaland showcased his brilliance with a five-goal performance in the FA Cup match against Luton, sending a clear message to Manchester City’s title rivals. This remarkable display of form comes at a crucial time in the season, as City is aiming to secure a treble of Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup trophies.
Pep Guardiola’s team currently sits between Liverpool and Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table, with just two points separating the top three teams. The upcoming matches in the next few weeks will play a significant role in determining City’s chances of winning a fourth consecutive league title, a historic feat never achieved before in English football.
Manchester United will face a daunting task when they visit the Etihad stadium after Haaland’s exceptional performance last season, where he scored a hat-trick in a 6-3 victory over the Red Devils. City’s schedule includes challenging fixtures against Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa in the coming weeks.
Haaland has been in sensational form this season, scoring 27 goals in 30 appearances despite missing two months due to a foot injury. The Norwegian striker, who netted 52 goals last season, struggled initially to find his scoring touch after returning from injury but showed his class with a five-goal haul against Luton.
Kevin De Bruyne, who assisted four of Haaland’s goals in the FA Cup match, has also been plagued by injuries this season. However, the Belgian playmaker has been influential whenever he has been fit, contributing 11 assists and two goals in his last 10 appearances since returning from a long layoff.
The partnership between Haaland and De Bruyne has proven to be lethal, despite limited game time together in the Premier League this season. The duo’s potential impact in the upcoming matches could be a game-changer for City as they aim to maintain their winning streak in all competitions.
Guardiola praised Haaland’s remarkable goal-scoring record since joining City, highlighting the striker’s incredible tally of 79 goals in 83 games. The City manager expressed his delight in the striker’s confidence and emphasized the importance of Haaland’s partnership with De Bruyne in City’s attacking setup.
With City’s top players hitting top form at a crucial juncture in the season, the team is well-positioned to secure another title triumph. Guardiola’s men are determined and ready to face the challenges ahead, with their sights set on achieving further success in the campaign.
