Erling Haaland says he is “living the dream” after a phenomenal start to life at Manchester City that has seen him blast 13 goals in just nine games.
The Norwegian summer signing volleyed home the winner against former club Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday.
That came on the back to his double at Sevilla in City's opening Group G victory and Haaland also has 10 goals in six Premier League appearances – including hat-tricks in successive games against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest.
“I think I have really long legs, that’s why I reached the ball, but it was a really good cross and a really good goal, I have to say,” said the 22-year-old after his goal in the 2-1 win at home to Dortmund. “It’s quite nice. At the end I’m living the dream and I am happy. More to come!”
Haaland kept his celebrations down to a minimum against the Bundesliga club he scored 86 goals in 89 appearances for.
“It was a special match for me, emotional,” said Haaland, who joined City in a £51 million deal. “But for me I had to focus, I had to be ready for the things that I have to do against my former team.
“It is a football game. Of course it was emotional but it was a nice game.”
Man City 2 Dortmund 1: player ratings
-
MANCHESTER CITY PLAYER RATINGS: Ederson 7 – Had little to do apart from a routine save from a curling Ozcan in the first half. The Brazilian’s distribution helped drive his side forward and catch Dortmund on the break. AP -
Manuel Akanji 6 – Another solid performance for the new signing, against his former side, although he did lose sight of Bellingham in the build-up to the opening goal. AP -
Nathan Ake 7 – A faultless display at the back by the Dutchman. AFP -
John Stones 8 - Popped up in some dangerous areas outside the opposition box, and his strike from range beat Meyer to equalise with City’s first shot on target. EPA -
Joao Cancelo 8 – Produced some quality deliveries into the box, including an outstanding assist with the outside of his foot for the second goal. PA -
Rodri 5 – Overran by Bellingham in the middle of the park after the break and picked up a card after clattering into the teenager. Reuters -
Kevin De Bruyne 7 – The Belgian was full of running and put in a serious shift for his side. Produced a superb ball to find Haaland after 66 minutes, but the Norwegian went wide from a tight angle. Getty -
Ilkay Gundogan 6 – Worked hard in midfield but lacked the required creative quality in the final third and was replaced by Silva. PA -
Riyad Mahrez 5 – The winger looked off the pace and could not make an impact on the game before being replaced by Alvarez after 58 minutes. Reuters -
Jack Grealish 5 – Often wasteful in a disappointing performance. Could not make the most of the space out wide as his movement was too predictable, and every time the Englishman cut inside, the attempted shot was blocked. Substituted for Foden just before the hour mark. EPA -
Erling Haaland 8 – Can be faulted alongside Akanji for losing Bellingham for the opening goal. The in-form striker hit the outside of the post at a tight angle with his first sight of goal. But on 84 minutes, the Norwegian produced a stunning acrobatic finish to complete the comeback against his former club. AP -
SUBS: Julian Alvarez (Mahrez 58’) 6 – A lively cameo and tried to make things happen after coming on for Mahrez. EPA -
Bernardo Silva (Gundogan 58’) 7 – A positive addition in the second half and added much-needed creativity after replacing Gundogan. Getty -
Phil Foden (Grealish, 58) 7 – Wasted no time attacking the Dortmund box after his introduction. Provided a great ball to Haaland after 72 minutes, but Hummels intervened to deny the Englishman an assist. EPA -
Kalvin Phillips (Haaland 90’) – N/R. Thrown on for the last few minutes as City saw out the game. Getty -
BORUSSIA DORTMUND PLAYER RATINGS: Alexander Meyer 4 – Made a mess of City’s first shot on target, as he appeared to pull away from Stones’ long-range effort. The goalkeeper was then beaten at his near post by Haaland for the second goal. Reuters -
Raphael Guerreiro 6 – Stood up well against Mahrez in the first half, but the full-back struggled to get forward. Getty -
Mats Hummels 7 – Strong defensive display and made a crucial intervention to deny Haaland a tap-in after 72 minutes. PA -
Niklas Sule 8 – A dogged performance at the back, and the German managed to keep Haaland quiet until the closing 10 minutes. Getty -
Thomas Meunier 5 – Looked uncomfortable in the final half an hour following the introduction of a direct and energetic Foden. Getty -
Salih Ozcan 7– Had a good game midfield and provided the best chance of the first half, as his curling shot was matched by Ederson after 18 minutes. AP -
Emre Can 6 – Worked hard in the middle of the park. AP -
Jude Bellingham 8 – A standout performer, providing several line-breaking passes before scoring the opening goal of the match. The 19-year-old was alert to Reus’ cross and nodded the ball past Ederson from close-range. AP -
Marco Reus 8 – Looked dangerous on the counterattack and could have scored after the break. The German beat Akanji emphatically but could not wrap the ball into Ederson’s net from a difficult angle. Provided the assist for the first goal. EPA -
Anthony Modeste 5 – An uneventful performance and the Frenchman was replaced by Schlotterbeck after 78 minutes. Getty -
Giovanni Reyna 5 – Plenty of energy in the first half but struggled to impact the game and was replaced by Malen for the final 30 minutes. AFP -
SUBS: Donyell Malen (Reyna 61’) 6 – Dealt well in his defensive duties after coming on for Reyna just after an hour had been played. Getty -
Nico Schlotterbeck (Modeste, 78) – N/A. Replaced the ineffective Modeste but didn’t have much of an impact himself. Reuters -
Youssoufa Moukoko (Ozcan 88’) – N/A. The exciting youngster and little time to impact the game. AP -
Karim Adeyemi (Reus 88’) – N/A. PA
Defender Manuel Akanji, who followed Haaland from Dortmund to Manchester at the end of last month in a £17m switch, also expects the goals to keep on flowing.
The Switzerland international said: “I’m not surprised any more what he can do. I think he can score any type of goal.
“What a cross from Joao [Cancelo] and, obviously, he is there where he needs to be and it was a fantastic goal.
“I think he can keep going like this. He just needs to work hard, keep his head down and work every day.”
City are back in Premier League action on Saturday when they take on Wolves at Molineux. Pep Guardiola's side are second in the table, one point behind leaders Arsenal.
