Manchester City in demonstration against Fulham with a Haaland in great shape

2023-09-02 19:04:36

Erling Haaland already in great shape at the start of the season. MOLLY DARLINGTON/REUTERS

At home, Manchester City easily won against Fulham (5-1) and remains undefeated in the league. Erling Haaland distinguished himself with a hat-trick and an assist.

Manchester City to the power of four. At home, the SkyBlues easily won against Fulham (5-1) and thus signed their fourth success, in as many games, in the Premier League this season. Erling Haaland was once again decisive with a hat-trick and an assist.

Without Pep Guardiola, who had emergency back surgery ten days ago and was replaced on the bench by his assistant Juanma Lillo, the reigning English champion showed two faces to his Etihad Stadium audience this Saturday. In the first half, nothing was easy for the Citizens, unable to bring danger in front of the Fulham cage for twenty minutes. For his debut in his new jersey, Jérémy Doku shook the coconut tree with Phil Foden, who found no one at the penalty spot on the first Mancunian situation (27 ‘). Finally, it took a flash initiated by Kovacic to animate this part. Launched by the Croatian in depth, Haaland stored (involuntarily?) towards Alvarez, scorer from close (1-0, 31 ‘). City seemed to have done the hardest part but on kick-off, Aké foolishly conceded a corner perfectly exploited by the Cottagers. Jimenez headed home at the near post before Ream pushed the ball in after Ederson’s save (1-1, 33’).

Surprised, Rodri’s partners only doubted ten minutes until the end of extra time in the first act, after an action that should be talked about in the English tabloids. On a final corner, Aké gave City the lead with a header (2-1, 45+5′), a goal validated by the VAR despite Akanji’s offside position, positioned in front of the Fulham cage without touching the ball. London coach Marco Silva and his players did not hide their anger, this action spoiling their very interesting first act against the Mancunian ogre.

A recital in the second half

Returning from the locker room, the Cottagers tried to come back to score with a few timid incursions. But the SkyBlues hunkered down before activating steamroller mode. Already decisive passer, Erling Haaland could not pass a fifth game in a row at home without scoring. He offered his fourth goal of the season in the 58th minute, perfectly concluding a move launched by Rodri (3-1, 58′). Touched by this break goal, Fulham ended up sinking. Very good so far, the Frenchman Issa Diop conceded a penalty on the very restless Julian Alvarez, a godsend for his Norwegian teammate who transformed him without shaking (70′). With a three-goal lead, City could calmly manage the end of the game and its workforce, Bernardo Silva and Kalvin Phillips entering in particular for the last quarter of an hour. Ederson was vigilant on Jimenez’s last attempt (74′) before the conclusion of the Haaland festival. Ideally served by Sergio Gomez, author of a superb job on the left side, the man with 36 goals last season validated a new hat-trick (90+5′), his fifth since his arrival in the Kingdom.

First jostled then sovereign, Manchester City finally beat Fulham (5-1) and regained its leadership position. With 12 points out of 12 possible, the Citizens could not have dreamed of a better start when the machine is not yet running at full speed. After the international break, the reigning European champion and Erling Haaland, author of six goals already, will move to West Ham, also very fit since the recovery (3rd, 10 pts).