Haaland nets another hat-trick in Forest thrashing

Man City put Nottingham Forest to the sword at the Etihad Stadium in a match which they dominated from start to finish. Erling Haaland scored three times in the first half to get his second straight hat-trick after the one against Crystal Palace to end the game as a contest before the interval. There was no respite for the visitors as Cancelo made it four early in the second half while Julian Alvarez netted a brace to complete the rout. For Forest, it is a case of looking ahead to the next match, a more winnable one, against Bournemouth.

Dean Henderson in the Forest goal was called into action for the first time after six minutes when Gundogan's corner was flicked on and Julian Alvarez's shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Forest could not get out their own half and after 11 minutes, City had their deserved lead. Gundogan played a corner short to Foden and his ball in was deflected by an opponent into the path of Haaland and he made no mistake.

The goal saw Forest start to finally show some attacking threat and new signing Renan Lodi hit the sidenetting with a header from a Williams cross, but they soon conceded again. A poor clearance by the goalkeeper fell to Bernardo Silva and, after a good team move, Foden ran into the box and the defender's tackle sent the ball straight to Haaland. The Norwegian was never missing from inside the area and it was two.

It was an uphill task for the away side and the City pressure was relentless. Stones had a goal disallowed for offside while there was also time for Haaland to complete his hat-trick before the interval. In the 38th minute, a corner was only half-cleared, a ball into the box was headed by Foden and then Stones headed across for Haaland to tap in. It was his second consecutive hat-trick after scoring thrice against Crystal Palace at the weekend. It could have been four before the interval, but Julian Alvarez was denied by the woodwork.

 

August 31, 2022

It was 3-0 at the interval, but Guardiola's side were as dominant in the second period. After 51 minutes, Bernardo Silva dribbled into the penalty box and laid off for Cancelo and the former Valencia man's shot from inside the D found Henderson's right hand corner. Then, Julian Alvarez made it five after getting on the end of a pass from Mahrez and then hitting across Henderson into the far corner. 

Erling Haaland was taken off midway through the second period to a standing ovation from the Man City faithful and Kevin De Bruyne, who started on the bench to get some rest, was introduced. The Belgian had a hand in the final goal of the game as he played the ball to Mahrez who then saw his effort blocked and Alvarez, after taking a touch to control the ball, hit past Henderson. 

The margin of victory could have been even greater and Man City once again showed why they are the favourites to win the Premier League title this season. Haaland's next opportunity to score a hat-trick comes away to Aston Villa on Saturday.