Erling Haaland is back. The Norwegian spent his World Cup break acting as groundskeeper at the Etihad and dressing up as club mascot Moonchester, but Haaland was back to doing what he does best Wednesday: scoring goals for Manchester City in the Premier League.
Haaland got a brace in City's visit to Elland Road against Leeds United, taking his league total to 20 goals in 14 games. No player has reached the 20-goal milestone quicker, smashing the previous record of 21 matches set by Sunderland's Kevin Phillips during the 1999-00 season.
The 22-year-old also now has more goals than Chelsea (19) and just as many as Derby County managed in the entire 2007-08 PL season.
And this wasn't even one of Haaland's more clinical games. He finished with eight shots, five on target, and City's second and third goals in a 3-1 win.
After Rodri had given City the lead just before halftime, Haaland made it 2-0 in the 51st after Jack Grealish did all the work.
An error at the back for Leeds leads to a tap in for Erling Haaland to double Manchester City's lead!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 28, 2022
Haaland then played a one-two with Grealish in the 64th to make it 3-0. He makes this look easy but it's not.
Erling Haaland has a brace and that's TWENTY GOALS on the season already.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 28, 2022
The only negative from his performance was that he ditched the Viking braids and returned to the samurai bun.
Viking mode #mancity pic.twitter.com/Sy2dh3Dg4l
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) December 26, 2022
For Leeds and American manager Jesse Marsch, it's a second straight defeat and a spot in 15th-place. Brenden Aaronson started and played 83 minutes, nutmegging Rodri once but blazing his subsequent effort over the bar. Tyler Adams was suspended because of his red card against Tottenham back on Nov. 12.
It doesn't get much easier for Leeds on Saturday with a trip to third-place Newcastle United. City hosts 17th-place Everton that same day.
