Double pack, three points, dream debut: Erling Haaland proves that he can endure the "pain" of the Premier League and shoots down West Ham single-handedly. He gets tips for this from a striker icon. In his home country, however, the Norwegian is confronted with criticism.
Millions of people around the world are waiting for this debut. Erling Haaland, with Kylian Mbappé probably the most sought-after footballer on this planet, puts on the Manchester City jersey for the first time in the league, which he wore as a child. After the Norwegian failed to impress in the 3-1 defeat by Jürgen Klopps FC Liverpool in the Community Shield, he is keen to do better in the Premier League. In his first league game for BVB, the Norwegian even scored a hat-trick in 23 minutes.
The Reds, the club will probably be City's toughest competitor in the fight for the crown in the Premier League again this year, gave the champions their first through ball in the title fight with a 2-2 win in Fulham. The Skyblues use this ice cold in the dominant and playful 2-0 (1-0) win at West Ham United. The man of the game is, how could it be otherwise, of course, Erling Braut Haaland.
The 22-year-old, who switched from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester for around 75 million euros in the summer, was prepared for higher demands than in the Bundesliga before his start in England - and even for "a little pain". Speaking to The Athletic, the Norwegian predicted: "I think it will be a bit more physical, with a higher pace. It's a very physical league and it's going to be tough. But my body is ready - and a good duel is always something fine."
The Norwegian therefore picked up a few extra tips “from this man” and posted a photo together with England striker icon Alan Shearer on Instagram. The advice seems to have helped. Haaland, who has an excellent goal quota in Dortmund (62 goals in 67 league games) and at RB Salzburg (17 in 16), does not hold back from scoring goals for long in Manchester either.
Initially, however, West Ham started like firefighters, only after 10 minutes did the Skyblues catch up and take over the baton. When Kevin de Bruyne's shot rushed past the Hammers' box on the left, almost a quarter of an hour had been played and there was still no sign of Haaland. But after 20 minutes the time had come: The Norwegian sees a Phil Foden cross sail into the penalty area, rises up - but misses the ball by centimetres. Luck isn't on the Storm Jewel's side just yet.
But this first action is already proof that the Skyblues have landed an important transfer. Haaland should mean an even more variable and dangerous attack for the already always offensively strong city. "Now we also have the alternative of hitting crosses into the penalty area and we know that we have a player who is really strong in the air," said Ilkay Gündogan recently.
After 36 minutes the time has come. Haaland does what Haaland does. Score goals. The goalscorer runs a deep pass, boots off in his inimitable way, puts the ball past keeper Alphonse Areola - and is placed in the six-yard box. The fouled person takes the penalty kick that is due and nets it in the lower left corner. The former Borussia is surrounded by his new teammates, the spell is broken early. "I've always watched the league. Every game has its own story," he says before the game and now the top scorer has entered himself in the books.
In the second half, the Skyblues don't let up. Haaland played a great counterattack with Gündogan and de Bruyne in the 56th minute, but the German international didn't finish the Norwegian's pass himself, but tried to stage it again. That fails just like Haaland's sliding tackle just six minutes later when de Bruyne's sharp pass in front of goal just missed.
But Haaland wouldn't be Haaland if he didn't have another one in his quiver. In the 65th, the Belgian serves the Norwegian again. This time Haaland gets the pass served in an exemplary manner in the full sprint, he coolly pushes it in at the bottom left and turns to celebrate. Double pack to start the Premier League. dream debut! In the 78th minute, the man of the game can stroll comfortably to the bench and let himself be celebrated.
After the successful debut, even the obsessed Haaland will be able to take a deep breath. "I think I can improve everything," he said self-critically in "The Athletic". "I'm constantly wasting chances with my left foot." After that nobody asks about the first league win and the first goal today.
However, Erling Haaland will not be able to appease all critics. The Norwegian faces hostility in his home country because he now plays for "dirty blood money". The critics point to the human rights violations in the United Arab Emirates, City is majority owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group Investment.
