There is no prey that can resist Erling Haaland (22), packed towards the football Olympus based on goals. For now, in its first season in England, the Norwegian giant continues to devour records every week.
Haaland's last notch came this Wednesday when what had seemed inevitable for weeks ended up happening. The Norwegian did not miss his appointment with the goal, collaborating in Manchester City's rout of West Ham that brings Guardiola's men a little closer to the Premier title, and fully entered the legend of English football.
In just 31 games, Haaland already has 35 goals, more than one per game on average, more than anyone in the history of the Premier League. The Norwegian thus surpassed Alan Shearer and Andy Cole, who with 34 were the record men so far, in both cases also in seasons of 42 games, not 38 as now. A little more merit still for the Nordic striker.
Manchester City decided to pay tribute to their striker once the record was achieved. His teammates did it on the same lawn, forcing him to submit to a corridor of collejas to which Haaland came smiling. Guardiola did not miss the opportunity to unite and smack his scorer, always with care given the proximity of the Champions League semifinals against Real Madrid.
Goals from Nathan Aké, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland, who already has 35 goals in a single season, more than anyone in Premier League history, return Manchester City to the league lead after the win against West Ham United (3-0).
Pep Guardiola's men, who continue without the injured Kevin de Bruyne, dropped another daisy leaf that remains for them to win this Premier. Five games separate them from the title after defeating a West Ham that endured the type for 50 minutes, until a free kick by Riyad Mahrez was headed on goal by Aké and until Haaland sentenced with a race between the center-backs defined with a 'mince ' in front of Lukasz Fabianski.
This match was similar to the one that Vincent Kompany unblocked with a right hand in 2018, because the hammers were resisting very well and entering Stefan Ortega's area on some occasion from Jarred Bowen, but the doubts of a possible puncture were dispelled by Aké, who He returned to eleven after several games out of injury.
After two balls hit the post in the first half, by Jack Grealish and Rodrigo Hernández, the Dutchman headed in just a free kick from Mahrez. A reassuring goal for City, who could from there relax with the ball and wait for the spaces that David Moyes's team would forcefully leave. They play not to descend.
When West Ham advanced lines, the Grealish-Haaland connection surfaced and in a transition the Englishman filtered the ball between the central defenders so that Haaland, in speed, faced Fabianski and defined with a chip that the Polish goalkeeper caressed. His 35th goal in this Premier, which places him as the all-time top scorer in the same season, ahead of Andy Cole and Alan Shearer, who scored 34 each in the 1990s. 42 games, Haaland has only needed 31. To round off the win, Phil Foden volleyed a rejected ball from a corner, with the help of a defender, who deflected the Englishman's shot and deceived Fabianski.
With this victory, City only have five games left to sing the alirón, which may be less if Arsenal leaves more points. The 'Sky Blues' lead the table with 79 points, one more than Arsenal, who also has one game less. The next obstacle on City's path to its fifth Premier in six years, Sam Allardyce's Leeds United next Saturday.
West Ham remains fifteenth, with 34 points, four above relegation and with four games to go. Next, Sunday at home against Manchester United.
3 - Manchester City: Ortega; Walker, Dias, Aké (Akanji, m.77); Stones, Rodri (Phillips, m.91), Álvarez (Foden, m.77), Silva; Mahrez, Grealish and Haaland.
0 - West Ham United: Fabianski; Cresswell, Emerson, Ogbonna, Kehrer, Coufal (Johnson, m.62); Fornals, Paquetá, Downes, Bowen (Benrahma, m.79); y Antonio (Ings, m.67).
Goals: 1-0. What, m.50, 2-0. Haaland, m.70 y 3-0. Foden, m.86.
Referee: John Brooks admonished Downes (m.49) by West Ham.
Incidents: Match corresponding to day 34 of the Premier League played at the Etihad Stadium (Manchester).
