Erling Haaland’s hat-trick propels Man City into FA Cup semi-finals

Erling Haaland scored another hat-trick as Manchester City beat Burnley 6-0 in the FA Cup to secure a place in the semi-finals of the competition for the fifth straight season.

Pep Guardiola’s Man City team scored 13 goals in two games, with Haaland contributing eight, after beating RB Leipzig 7-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Julian Alvarez (2) and Cole Palmer also scored as Vincent Kompany’s return to the Etihad Stadium as Burnley manager ended in a humiliating defeat.

Fast reaction

1. Haaland again proves the sixth sense for goals with a hat trick

What Haaland is doing in his first season at Man City has passed the point of ridicule and has now entered something beyond.

His hat-trick against Burnley – all done before he was substituted in the 64th minute – was his sixth of the season. He has scored 42 goals in his first year in England and nine in his last three games, including five on Tuesday against RB Leipzig.

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His goal scoring ability was perfectly demonstrated with his third against Burnley. Riyad Mahrez passed the ball to Phil Foden, whose shot went over the goal and hit the outside of the post. The box was packed with Burnley defenders and City attackers but the ball fell to Haaland who had drifted towards the back post.

Haaland does this too often to bring good luck, so it may just be some kind of sixth sense letting him know where his next goal will come from.

The way his season is going, he was probably disappointed that he only scored two goals in February, but he makes up for it in March. He could still play 18 games before the end of the season but the numbers he’s amassing are already incredible.

2. Man City cruise through ‘defining’ week with treble in sight

A week ago, Guardiola said games against Crystal Palace (Premier League), RB Leipzig (Champions League) and Burnley (FA Cup) within eight days of the international break could define the season: “We have three games, each in a different one Competition that will define our season,” Guardiola said at the time. “… They will define what we want or can do for the rest of the season.”

Well, the Man City manager couldn’t have asked for much more. Three wins from three, 14 goals scored and clean sheet have positioned City perfectly to challenge for all three trophies once club games resume after the break.

Guardiola’s side haven’t always appeared to be at their best this season, but they are still second in the league, in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, leaving a chance to equal Manchester United’s famous treble in 1999.

April’s schedule will likely decide how close they come. City play Liverpool and leaders Arsenal in the Premier League, face a two-legged Champions League quarter-final with Bayern Munich and an FA Cup semi-final ahead of early May.

If they get through the month unscathed then Man City’s trebles will be really good. Get ready for another crucial series of games Pep!

3. Burnley are getting a tough lesson from the Premier League’s best

Burnley are 13 points clear of the top of the Championship and three wins away from a return to the Premier League, but they have received a brutal lesson in what life can be against the best teams in the top flight.

Burnley were the better team for 30 minutes and despite only having 20% ​​possession they managed to form the only two shots on target. Nathan Tella had a try saved by Stefan Ortega and was only denied a clean shot by a superb tackle from Ruben Dias.

But just when the 6,000 fans who had traveled there were beginning to think they could scare the Etihad, Haaland presented his first two chances and it was 2-0 to Man City and the game was over.

Of course, Burnley’s aim in the Premier League next season won’t be to compete with the likes of Man City and Haaland, just to finish somewhere above 18th and stay in the division.

They blitzed the league in Kompany’s first season in charge, losing just two games, but it was a stark reminder of just how great the rise of the Premier League has become and it has given Burnley an 18-game unbeaten streak.

Best and worst performers

Best: Erling Haaland, Manchester City

The Norwegian striker has 42 goals of the season after another hat-trick against Burnley, his second in five days.

Best: Phil Foden, Manchester City

He was treated roughly by Burnley but still scored Haaland’s second and third goals.

Best: Julian Alvarez, Manchester City

He played in an almost reclusive role as the No. 8 for most of the game, scoring two goals and getting one assist.

Worst: Johann Gudmundsson, Burnley

The forward had no impact in the first half and was substituted at half-time, with City leading 2-0.

Worst: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Burnley

He had a tough task in goal but should have done better with a couple of goals from Man City.

Worst: Stefan Ortega, Manchester City

The keeper’s kick got City in trouble early on, particularly on passes into midfield to Rico Lewis.

Highlights and notable moments

Erling Haaland doesn’t miss – well, he doesn’t miss so much. He scored twice, three minutes apart, in the first half.

In fact, by half-time against Burnley, Haaland had scored seven goals in his previous 31 touches.

HAALAND TWO GOALS IN THREE MINUTES 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OBXIIakizR

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 18, 2023

On top of that, Haaland scored another goal to earn the hat-trick because of course he did.

Haaland is now sitting on six hat-tricks this season. No other player in Europe has more than two.

ERLING HAALAND STOPS VIDEO GAME NUMBERS 😳 pic.twitter.com/plNCU191nL

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 18, 2023

After the game: What the coaches and players said

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on Erling Haaland with another hat-trick: “This guy is going to have a problem going forward – people expect him to score three or four goals in every game and that’s not going to happen. People have to say a little, I know he doesn’t care – he’s so positive about his life, he’s optimistic, he never complains, always looks himself. As well as we play, he will score. I don’t know the target numbers. We play like this, Erling will score goals.”

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany on the result: “The only thing I can say is that [the loss] takes nothing of what the boys have done so far. It was a really good experience. As much as it annoys me, I think there are a lot of positives to take away from the first half. After that, we just found the better side.”

Company on Haaland: “My defenders are all fast. As a seasoned defender, I know exactly where he’s going, but he’s so fast. Good strikers make it seem like every rebound will land at their feet and he’s one of them.”

Kompany on his reception by Man City fans: “When it actually happens, you’re still surprised. I can only be grateful. I was delighted to bring all these Burnley fans over and am honored to receive such a warm welcome from the City fans.”

Key Statistics (provided by ESPN Stats & Information Research)

• Manchester City reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the fifth straight season, breaking the record for most consecutive FA Cup semi-final appearances.

• Erling Haaland has now scored in every top-flight club competition he has played in, with the exception of the Community Shield, in which he has only appeared once.

• By the time he scored his third goal of the day, Haaland had scored eight goals with his previous 40 touches.

• Haaland has scored six hat-tricks in all competitions this season. No other player from Europe’s top five leagues has more than two hat-tricks this season.

• With the defeat, Burnley had broken a streak of 18 games unbeaten in all competitions. It was their first loss to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup since December 21.

Next

Manchester City: Premier League action resumes for Man City when they host Liverpool on Saturday April 1. Then Man City travel to Southampton on April 8th.

Burnley FC: The Clarets are back focused on the EFL Championship when they host Sunderland on Friday March 31.