By Martin Graham | 5th May 2024
Erling Haaland’s remarkable four-goal exhibition in the Premier League propelled Manchester City closer to an unprecedented fourth consecutive English league title. With Arsenal’s earlier triumph over Bournemouth leaving no room for error, City answered with a flawless performance.
In the 12th minute, referee Craig Pawson awarded City a penalty, providing them with an unnecessary advantage. Haaland capitalized on the opportunity, sending Wolves’ goalkeeper Jose Sa the wrong way. Just before halftime, Haaland converted another penalty after being fouled by Nelson Semedo. Additionally, he showcased his aerial prowess with a stunning far-post header, extending City’s lead.
The Norwegian striker wasn’t done yet. A minute after Wolves managed to pull one back through Hwang Hee-chan, Haaland struck again, latching onto Phil Foden’s brilliant lofted pass to complete his four-goal haul. Julian Alvarez sealed the deal with a late goal, securing City’s victory and placing them just one point behind Arsenal with three games remaining.
Haaland’s harvest season continues
Haaland’s dominance was further highlighted as he notched his 25th Premier League goal of the season, firmly establishing himself as the frontrunner for the Golden Boot. With this performance, he surpassed Alexander Isak and Cole Palmer by five goals in the standings. Impressively, this marked Haaland’s first four-goal haul in a Premier League match, adding to his impressive tally of nine hat-tricks this season.
His overall goal tally for the season now stands at 36, solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s most lethal strikers. Surprisingly, despite his short stint at Manchester City, Haaland has already climbed to 87th in the all-time Premier League scoring charts, surpassing club legend David Silva’s record. Haaland’s monumental achievements raise speculation about his potential if he remains at City for an extended period.
Arsenal put aside their thoughts on City’s dominance
For Arsenal, Haaland’s outstanding performance and City’s victory only intensify the pressure as they chase the league title. With City’s upcoming fixture against Tottenham appearing challenging on paper, Arsenal’s recent form suggests they may struggle to halt Haaland’s momentum. As City edges closer to another title, the question remains: where will their rivals drop points?
Martin Graham is an MFF sports writer
