Unbearable since his arrival at Manchester City, Erling Hland martyred Manchester United (6-3) on Sunday with three goals and two assists. A new recital by the Norwegian forward, on track to break all Premier League records … and more.
Hland at illumin le derby de Manchester.
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Maxifoot’s most loyal readers will remember a similar headline on Erling Hland (22), for an article published on 25 November 2020. At the time, the Norwegian forward was already shining with Borussia Dortmund. Almost two years later, the Scandinavian, transferred to Manchester City, is even stronger. Much stronger. And, no doubt, a little too strong.
New recital in the derby
For his first match against Manchester United (6-3) on Sunday, the Nordic forward made a near-perfect copy with three goals and two assists on the clock. A header, full of power, from a corner, a goal at the far post throwing himself on a Kevin De Bruyne millimeter ball then a comeback on the spot to punish David De Gea for the third time, Hland was ruthless. In addition to these three pawns, he handed over two superb caviar to Phil Foden, allowing his English partner to score a hat-trick as well.
We knew the player was very strong, we didn’t think he was able to tear the Red Devils apart like this for his first derby. Beyond the figures, it is above all his weight and the impact of him that impresses. Unlike many great strikers, the former Red Bull Salzburg player never does anything superfluous: stall when the game requires it, fit in the right spaces, always perfect positioning, technical quality well above average despite his silhouette … Hland looks like the final number 9.
The terror of the guardians
Going back to the stats, these send shivers down your spine. In its last 18 shots, the Citizen has systematically rediscovered the shot. And the flaw? 14 times. That’s a totally delusional conversion rate of 77.8%. Translation: When Hland shoots, the goalkeeper is always inserted. And he has a good chance of being beaten. Furthermore, in 11 games this season, only Alisson Becker (Liverpool) and Mark Travers (Bournemouth) have managed to preserve their invincibility against the Viking.
In just 8 Premier League games, Hland has scored three hat-tricks. Never in the history of the English league has a player achieved such a feat. For comparison, it took Michal Owen 48 games as well. Ruud Van Nistelrooy (59), Fernando Torres (64), Andy Cole (65), Luis Suarez (71), Alan Shearer (83), Harry Kane (102), Sergio Agero (118), Mohamed Salah (122), Thierry Henry (166), Didier Drogba (167) and Cristiano Ronaldo (222) are light years away. And that’s not all …
How far will Hland go? Do not hesitate to react and discuss in the area Add a comment …
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