Manchester City striker Erling Braut Haaland has been named Premier League Player of the Month for August following his spectacular start to life at the Etihad Stadium.
The 22-year-old, who joined from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, became the first player in division history to score nine goals in his first five games, breaking the previous record of eight goals set by Micky Quinn and Citizens star Sergio Aguero.
On his Premier League debut, Haaland scored twice to help City beat West Ham United 2-0 on the opening weekend of the new season.
The Norwegian international went goalless against Bournemouth, but he did provide an assist in the 4-0 triumph before scoring the equaliser in a 3-3 draw away at Newcastle United.
Haaland then became only the sixth player in Premier League history to score back-to-back hat-tricks in wins over Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest.
What a start to life in the #PL 👏@ErlingHaaland is August’s @EASPORTSFIFA Player of the Month after 9️⃣ goals in his first 5️⃣ matches!#PLAwards | @ManCity pic.twitter.com/s22u5xFoQn
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 16, 2022
Haaland’s solid start in the English Premier League has been recognised, and he is the first player to win the award in his debut month in the league since Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes in February 2020.
The 6ft 5in striker beat out Brighton & Hove Albion’s Pascal Gross, Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard, Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic, Newcastle United’s Nick Pope, Leeds United’s Rodrigo, and Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha to win the award.
What Did Haaland Say On Winning Player Of The Month?
Haaland told mancity.com after receiving his award: “I am delighted to win this award for the first time – it was an incredible start of the season for the team and I am grateful to everyone who voted.
“We all wanted to hit the ground running this season, so winning four games out of five was a great start for us in what is the most challenging competition in the world. I am happy to have played my part by scoring goals.
“What’s important is the result and to help the team. Hopefully, I can continue to support the team, make our fans happy with our performances and carry on our strong start to the season.”
Haaland extended his scoring streak in September with a goal in the 1-1 draw at Aston Villa, bringing his Premier League tally for the season to 10 goals in just six appearances.
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This season, the Norwegian has also impressed in the Champions League, scoring a brace in City’s 4-0 victory over Sevilla before scoring the game-winning goal in City’s 2-1 comeback win over his former side Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.
Haaland’s strike rate of 1.86 goals per game is now the greatest in Europe’s top five divisions, and if he maintains his current pace and game time, as well as reaching every club final, City’s No.9 will conclude the season with a stunning 102 goals across all competitions.
If Haaland scores in City’s next game at Molineux against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday lunchtime, he would become the first Premier League player to do so.
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