Erling Haaland's hat-trick goal was sensational, his strength is freakish

Erling Haaland's goal for his first ever Premier League hat-trick was the absolute epitome of what he brings to the table.

Manchester City found themselves 2-0 down at home to Crystal Palace, who have been something of a 'bogie' side for the Premier League champions in recent years.

It was two goals from set pieces, with John Stones putting through his own net and Joachim Andersen heading home a shock second in the first half.

City were heading for dropped points for the second consecutive game after the 3-3 draw against Newcastle but Bernardo Silva pulled one back shortly after half-time.

And from then on it was the Haaland show. City's No.9 equalised with a brilliant header from a Phil Foden cross and then doubled his tally with a tap in.

But it was his third and final goal to make it 4-2 which showed his insane qualities as a striker. Ilkay Gundogan fed Haaland, who made a sublime run and showed freakish strength before supplying the clinical finish.

Palace skipper Joel Ward got sent to the shadow realm and Vicente Guaita could do nothing about the strike.

There was just 19 minutes between his first goal and the one that secured his first match-ball in the Premier League.

The former Borussia Dortmund star now has six goals in his first four Premier League games, having wasted no time in adjusting to life in English football.

He's averaging a goal every 54 minutes in the top flight and Alan Shearer, the Premier League's record goalscorer with 260, believes he poses a threat to his long-standing record.

"If he stays fit then he should be getting 30-40 goals, absolutely, with the chances that Man City create," Shearer told SPORTbible.

"He’s prepared to make them runs and his runs are amazing and he’s quick. They’ll find him, there’s no doubt. 

“The numbers of times this season, more so away from home because when teams go to the Etihad they’ll probably try to sit deep, you'll see Haaland running in behind - it will be unbelievable how many times that happens. He’s fantastic at it.

“I think if he does stick around and does stay fit then I do think he’ll have a chance. But I think Harry Kane might have something to say about that because he might have already broken it by then. 

“I know how desperate he is to try and break it himself so I might not be the one he’s chasing, it might be someone different.” 

Featured Image Credit: Image: Premier League

Topics: Erling Haaland, Crystal Palace, Manchester City, Premier League

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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