Micah Richards was left astounded by Erling Haaland’s performance against West Ham, as the striker bagged yet another hat-trick.
Erling Haaland put in a perfect 10 performance as Manchester City continued their 100% record to start the new Premier League season.
Despite being without injured duo Phil Foden and Savinho, City defeated West Ham 3-1 in London to move to the top of the table.
Haaland actually missed his first chance at goal but made no mistake with the second when he found the bottom corner after being played through by Bernardo Silva.
The Hammers hit back, though, when Jarrod Bowen’s cross deflected off Ruben Dias’ knee and into the goal.
Yet, Pep Guardiola’s side would restore their lead before the break as a devastatingly efficient Haaland blasted into the roof of the net with just his seventh touch.
There were some nervy moments in the second 45 as Mohammad Kudus rattled the post and West Ham rallied but, after hardly seeing the ball all half, Haaland pounced when he escaped in behind late on and lofted the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.
That’s his second hat-trick in a row after bagging one against Ipswich Town and Micah Richards has explained why he has started the season in such great form.
Micah Richards’ verdict on Erling Haaland performance vs West Ham
Speaking after the match on Sky Spots’ coverage of the game, former City man Richards said on Haaland: “[He’s} Just the ruthless in front of goal, that’s why he has scored so many goals.
“He is one of the best I have ever seen.”
Richards then explained that the time off Haaland was able to have during the summer, with Norway not at Euro 2024, has given him time to completely refresh and recuperate.
That’s why he has started the season on fire and already has seven goals in just three games.
Richards added: “I think the break in the summer did him a world of good.
“He seems confident, he seems fresh, his body language is great, everything about his performance was top-notch.”
Haaland looks hungrier than ever
After his latest hat-trick, Haaland now sits on a simply remarkable 70 Premier League goals in just 69 games.
That’s already absurd and the scariest thing is, he looks hungrier and fitter than ever. Who knows how many goals he could plunder this season?
Richards is right, the summer off has clearly been massively beneficial. Not only did it give his body time to get over niggles and injuries, but it allowed his mind to recover as well after such a gruelling campaign.
Haaland said as much himself to the Premier League after the Chelsea win: “I’ve never felt better.”
“It was a good pre-season for me. I don’t have any pain in my body for the first time in a long time. So that’s amazing. You can also push yourself more because you don’t have something in the back of your head.”
