Featured Image Credit: Twitter/City_Extra
Topics: Erling Haaland, Burnley, FA Cup, Vincent Kompany, Pep Guardiola
Tom Fenton
Topics: Erling Haaland, Burnley, FA Cup, Vincent Kompany, Pep Guardiola
Imagine being so proficient at scoring goals that you'd gladly give the match ball to one of your teammates after bagging yet another hat-trick.
Well, that's exactly what Erling Haaland did after scoring three more goals for Manchester City in his side's 6-0 win over Burnley in the FA Cup Quarter-finals.
It was all too easy for the Norwegian on Saturday (18 March), who handed City a 2-0 lead inside the first 35-minutes of play. A third goal in the second half ensured it would be a tough return to the Etihad for City legend Vincent Kompany - who returned to his old club for the first time as Burnley manager.
However, what got most fans talking after the game was an interaction between Haaland and his close friend/teammate Jack Grealish.
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You can watch the moment for yourself below.
As the clip shows, after being handed the match ball by the referee, the 22-year-old makes his way over to Grealish with the ball in hand - and gives it to him. The pair can be seen chuckling, with the former Villa man unsure of what to do with his new prize, before eventually throwing it back to Haaland.
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The former Dortmund marksman already has six hat-tricks to his name this season in all comps, and as such, is probably running out of room on the mantelpiece for his ever-expanding match ball collection.
It was a historic day all round, as his second goal of the match was his 40th for City this season, a milestone few strikers hit in a campaign - let alone with two months left to play.
In just the Premier League alone, Haaland has 28 goals to his name, and very much has Alan Shearer's/Andy Cole's joint all-time record of 34 goals in sight - with 11 games still to play.
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While plenty of City fans loved the moment between Haaland and Grealish, some poked fun at the England international for his lack of output when compared to his record-breaking mate.
One Twitter user replied: 'scored more goals with that one ball that Grealish this season', with a second saying 'his hat-tricks are competing with Jack's goals and assists'. Ouch.
As for City, they go marching on to the Semi-final at Wembley, where they could meet cross-town rivals Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.
The win also keeps alive the possibility of winning the coveted 'treble', although Pep Guardiola's men must first get past Bayern Munich in the Champions League last eight.