Forest manager Steve Cooper summed it up saying simply that Haaland has “got the lot.”
Haaland has already scored more goals in August than Harry Kane and the England international is in his 11th Premier League season. Mohamed Salah‘s competition record of 32 goals in a 38-game season in 2017-18 already feels under threat, too. For the record, Salah began the season with three goals in his first five games; Haaland has a six-goal head start although Guardiola believes his No.9 will only measure success this season in silverware.
“I think what he wants is to win the titles,” he said. “Knowing him a little bit, I don’t know if he’d be happy breaking records if we didn’t win titles. If we play good, he’ll have more chances.
“I know Erling is happy scoring goals, but what he wants is to win. If he breaks records but we don’t win, he won’t be happy.”
DF Joao Cancelo, 8 — Forced the corner that led to the breakthrough after a neat exchange with Phil Foden, and he was involved in City’s third too with a beautiful whipped delivery off the outside of the boot. Made it 4-0 thunderous strike that beat Henderson all ends up.
MF Bernardo Silva, 9 — A couple of early surging runs from the midfielder who beautifully skipped past Lodi before losing his footing in the box. A classy display from the 28-year-old who had a huge hand in City’s second and teed up Cancelo for 4-0.
MF Rodri, 7 — Typically calm and composed in the middle, showing his experience to halt the run of Brennan Johnson, who was looking to turn on the afterburners. Replaced after the break as Guardiola looked to save his legs for another day.
MF Ilkay Gundogan, 7 — An early swing and a miss from the Germany international, whose wayward strike drifted well wide, and he started the second half in similar fashion. Caused problems with some good deliveries from set pieces that had Forest defenders scrambling.
FW Julian Alvarez, 9 — An industrious display from the fledgling forward, who struck the post late in the first half before opening his Premier eagle account after the break, smartly finding the bottom corner before smashing home a stunning second late on.
FW Erling Haaland, 10 — Insert endless superlatives here. Nine goals in five games now for the forward, who started with his first touch and completed a remarkable first-half hat-trick with an almighty leap to convert from Stones’ header back across goal.
FW Phil Foden, 9 — Haaland may be grabbing the headlines, but the big Norwegian must love playing with this man who had a hand in all three of his goals, albeit via a tackle for the second. Another super display.
Substitutes
DF Sergio Gómez, 7 — Replaced Cancelo in the 69th minute. Denied Neco Williams with a good block as the visitors hunted for consolation goals, and generally looked bright going forward.
DF Rico Lewis, NR — Replaced Stones in the 74th minute. A second Premier League appearance for the 17-year-old who was good value for his appearance with a couple of decent challenges.
MF Cole Palmer, 6 — Replaced Rodri in the 55th minute. The youngster held his own, too, as City outright refused to decelerate with the game already done and dusted.
MF Kevin De Bruyne, 6 — Replaced man of the match Haaland in the 69th minute. Picked out the chest of Mahrez with a trademark switch out to the right-hand side and then the boot of Gomez with another out to the left. Smartly denied by Dean Henderson late on.
FW Riyad Mahrez, 6 — Replaced Foden in the 55th minute. Should have made it 6-0, but he could only fire just wide having created a golden opportunity with an intelligent dart in behind.
Manager Pep Guardiola, 8 — Two changes from the City boss with Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez dropping to the bench, while the Spaniard gave more valuable minutes to a couple of City’s emerging young talents. Thank goodness he didn’t rest Haaland.
