Erling Haaland continued to chew up the Premier League record books with another striking masterclass in Manchester City’s 3-1 win over West Ham.
Hot on the heels of his hat-trick in City’s 4-1 victory against Ipswich Town, Haaland netted all of his side’s goals at the London Stadium to swagger off with another matchball for his collection.
The Norway superstar is chasing a third consecutive Premier League Golden Boot. Despite topping the charts last term, Haaland was often seen grasping for top form and fitness.
Those struggles appear to be emphatically behind him this time around.
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What Erling Haaland said after his West Ham hat-trick
“I feel good. I feel energised. I had a long vacation and a long pre-season so I am feeling good," Haaland told Sky Sports.
“The years I have been here it has gone really quick – like, bam, bam, bam – so now I have got a little rest in my body and my feet. I feel really good now and I am ready for more.
“Only footballers know how important it is to have a long enough break. In the end, you need to calm down your body and your mind because it is a long season and it is not as easy as people think.”
ERLING HAALAND. BACK-TO-BACK HAT TRICKS. SUPERHUMAN.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 31, 2024
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Who has the most Premier League hat-tricks?
Haaland’s treble in east London was his 11th in 102 games for City and his eighth in the Premier League.
That takes him one clear of Wayne Rooney in the all-time standings and level with Harry Kane, Michael Owen and Thierry Henry.
It means there are only three players who have scored more Premier League hat-tricks than Haaland in the history of the division.
Robbie Fowler is next in his sights on nine, the competition’s all-time leading scorer Alan Shearer has 11 to his name and Haaland’s predecessor as the darling of the Etihad Stadium, Sergio Aguero, is top of the pile with 12.
Haaland’s previous best tally after three Premier League games was three goals in each of the past two seasons. He has seven this time around — more than any other EPL team so far in 2023/24.
An overall haul of 70 goals in 69 English top-division matches suggests plenty more landmarks and records will be hauled in.