There is no doubt that there has been a vast improvement on display from several of Manchester City’s stars so far this season. Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis are two players who look to have taken their games to another level so far this season. But the improvement from Erling Haaland is now becoming frightening. But not for Manchester City and anyone associated with the club. However, for City’s rivals what Haaland is morphing into as a player is now a scary proposition.
Manchester City had to fight and scrap their way to a hard-fought 2-1 win over Brentford today. The visitors took the game to the world champions from kick-off at the Etihad Stadium. They took the lead after 22 seconds through Yoane Wissa to shock everyone at the Etihad. As the first half wore on Manchester City needed someone to take charge of the game. That’s where the improvement of arguably the biggest of Manchester City’s stars stood out.
In the end, it was Erling Haaland’s brace that settled today’s game. That fact alone isn’t an unusual occurrence. But what stood out at the Etihad was Haaland’s overall game. His movement up front and desperation to defend was crucial to City’s victory. On top of that, his link-up play was outstanding for the entire game against Thomas Frank’s side. That part of Haaland’s game has been criticised on occasion. But it is now getting to a point where it can’t be. Any keen observer of the game can see Haaland’s improvement as a player. That’s the frightening part of what Haaland has served up already this season.
The perfect encapsulation of Haaland’s improvement as a player was the intelligence he showed to score his second goal. A sublime long ball from Ederson left Haaland one-on-one with a hapless Ethan Pinnock. Haaland expertly used his body to take Pinnock out of the contest. From there, Haaland’s goal-scoring prowess was on full display as he gave City the lead in the 32nd minute. Usually, it’s pace, power and precision that get Haaland into goal-scoring positions. But that one move today showed a nuance that is fast developing in Haaland’s overall game. Coupled with his already well established traits it is making Erling Haaland a more complete player.
Erling Haaland has scored 9 goals in 4 Premier League games this season. That is an absurd statistic. It is one that has never before been seen in the Premier League and may never be again. But as ridiculous as it sounds it isn’t the full story of Erling Haaland’s performance against Brentford. The improvement in his game is the bigger story from a Manchester City point of view. That’s the frightening part of his match-winning performance today.
The most prolific goalscoring start we’ve ever seen to a Premier League season!
👏 Erling Haaland 👏 pic.twitter.com/TL5WQ7voQ6
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 14, 2024
