Erling Haaland scores brilliant first-half hat-trick against Nottingham Forest, he is unstoppable

Haaland scored three times inside 38 minutes to take his tally for the season to an incredible nine goals in just five Premier League matches.

It is the most scored by a player in August in Premier League history, smashing the previous record of six.

It took City just 12 minutes to take the lead at the Etihad, Haaland turning the ball in after Phil Foden's cross had deflected into his path.

They moved further in front after 23 minutes, when Haaland tapped the ball home after Foden had squared it to him across the face of goal.

City thought they had a third later in the half but John Stones' close-range close finish was ruled out for offside.

But they would get their third in the 38th minute - Haaland once again scoring for the home side with a header from inside the six yard box.

Fans were blown away by the Norwegian's impressive first-half performance.

"People who said 'he can only do it in the Bundesliga', wonder what those people will say now," wrote one supporter on Twitter.

Another added: "And people thought he wouldn't be able to do it in the prem."

Meanwhile, another wrote: "The best number 9 in the world, nobody else comes close."

City would go on to win the match 6-0, with a second half goal from Joao Cancelo and a brace from Julian Alvarez securing an emphatic victory for the home side.