2nd September, 2023
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Erling Haaland struck a hat-trick as Manchester City remain on top of the English Premier League on Saturday after trouncing visiting Fulham 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
City have now won all their first four matches with maximum 12 points.
The defending champions opened scoring on 31st minute of the first half through Julian Alvarez.
Erling Haaland teed up Alvarez inside the box, and he kept his cool to score low into the middle of the goal.
Two minutes later, Fulham shockingly equalised. Tim Ream got on the end of the corner kick deep inside the box and beat the keeper with a precise strike into the bottom left corner.
Five into first half added time, City took the lead again. Phil Foden took the corner and Nathan Ake rose highest near the penalty spot to plant a brilliant header into the bottom left corner.
Haaland scored the third goal for City on 58 minutes after picking up the ball from a rebound and from the edge of the box, he unleashed a low shot into the bottom right corner. Bernd Leno was unable to keep the ball out of the net.
The gangling striker hit his brace on 70th minute from the penalty spot. Haaland struck the ball into the left of the net, giving goalkeeper Bernd Leno no chance.