Manchester City returned to Premier League action with a 3-1 win over Leeds United, as Erling Haaland bagged two goals.
While most of football’s elite were at the recent World Cup in Qatar, Haaland – whose nation Norway did not qualify – was cooling his heels after a red-hot start to his domestic season.
So all eyes were on Elland Road as Haaland returned to Leeds, the city of his birth, with his dad Alfie watching on in the stands.
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The older Haaland played for both Leeds and Manchester City, and the younger has made no secret in the past of his affinity for the Whites – but it was all business from the outset here.
After nearly scoring within in the first 30 seconds of the match, Haaland would have to wait until the second half to get his name on the scoresheet, as Jack Grealish pounced on a sloppy pass from Leeds captain Liam Cooper and sprinted through before rolling a pass to his striker for the simplest of tap-ins, making it 2-0 to the visitors after Rodri’s goal in first half stoppage time.
Haaland would add a second and had a couple of chances for a third, before Leeds got a late consolation.
“Records aren’t just going to be broken, they are going to be absolutely smashed by Erling Haaland,” former Liverpool striker Michael Owen tweeted.
Despite the two goals, City coach Pep Guardiola said he expected more from his striker.
“I think he can be better,” he said after the match.
“It is a question of time.”
The defending champions pulled within five points of Arsenal with the win, and host Everton on New Year’s Day.
Leeds remain in 15th, and next travel to high-flying Newcastle.
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